Of justification four disputations clearing and amicably defending the truth against the unnecessary oppositions…

And whereas you cite some that say, that all our sins are pardoned in our first believing, as if I had questioned any such thing, I must tell you that I easily grant it, that every sin is then forgiven, and so far as that Justification is perfect; but what have you yet said to prove, 1. That we are never justified be faith, but in that one instant. 2. That we need no particular Justification from particular sins that after shall be committed. 3. Nor no sentential Justification at Judgement, which Mr. Burgess will tell you, is the chief. You and others use to say, that, that at Judgement, is but Declarative. But 1. It is no common Declaration, but a Declaration by the Judge. 2. And the Sentence doth more then merely declare; for it doth finally decide, acquit and adjudge to Glory. 3. And methinks this Declarative should be no term of Diminution, but of Aggravation, with those that still use to say that Justification is a judicial• Term. Alas! That these matters among the friends of Christ and Truth, should need so many words.

And whereas you cite some that say, that all our sins are pardoned in our first believing, as if I had questioned any such thing, I must tell you that I easily grant it, that every sin is then forgiven, and so far as that Justification is perfect; but what have you yet said to prove, 1. That we are never justified be faith, but in that one instant. 2. That we need no particular Justification from particular sins that after shall be committed. 3. Nor no sentential Justification at Judgement, which Mr. Burgess will tell you, is the chief. You and others use to say, that, that at Judgement, is but Declarative. But 1. It is no common Declaration, but a Declaration by the Judge. 2. And the Sentence doth more then meerely declare; for it doth finally decide, acquit and adjudge to Glory. 3. And methinks this Declarative should be no term of Diminution, but of Aggravation, with those that still use to say that Justification is a judicial• Term. Alas! That these matters among the friends of Christ and Truth, should need so many words.

Some more I had to say to you, but you may find it in the Preface to these Disputations. I only add, that if indeed it be true which you write to that Honourable person, to whom you dedicate your Labours, viz. That the Subject of your Discourse is so excellent and necessary to be known; and that He who is Ignorant of the Object and Office of Faith, doth neither know what he believeth, nor how he is justified; I should think it is high time, that you call your Understanding once more to an account, and review the Fabric that you have built on a qua justificans not understood, or upon a specificative quatenus, where there is no such thing: And if you think me unfit to be hearkened to in this, (as being one of the men of perverse minds that there you mention,) its more worthy your industry, to seek the advice of the learned Oxford Divines herein, then