The true doctrine of justification asserted and vindicated, from the errors of Papists, Arminians,…The true doctrine of justification asserted and vindicated, from the errours of Papists, Arminians,…

It is a difficult place, and those that would build Purgatory out of it, they are the Architects of that hay and stubble the text speaks of. Not to join with that exposition of some, who by hay and stubble, do understand evil works; nor with Beza, who denieth it to be meant of false doctrine, but only of the manner of preaching: He makes the building of gold and silver, &c. to be the pure and sincere doctrine of Christ; the hay and stubble to be the vain affecting of eloquence and words; but I rather go along with those that interpret the place of false doctrines, but not such as do overthrow the foundation; only they build superfluous & unsound doctrine, upon the true foundation, which is as uncomely, as if you should see a royal palace, which hath gold for the foundation, and precious stones for the walls, yet have the covering of straw and stubble; what deformity would this be? yet so it is with the best preachers that are, who yet add some errors to the sound Doctrine they deliver. Now for the opening of the place, it is wholly Allegorical; The preachers of Gods word are builders, and they are to raise up a stately palace; the materials are compared to gold and silver, to precious stones. ⟨p. 81⟩The place is an allusion to Isa. 54.12. I will make thy windows of Agates, and thy gates of Carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones; it is a description of the precious Graces and Doctrines which the Ministers of God are clothed with; and this showeth with what esteem and high price all the truths of Christ ought to be received by you. The Ark, Ex. 25.3, 4, 5, 6. was to be made of gold, silver, and other precious materials; this is the nature of true Doctrine. Now false Doctrine, though it be not in fundamentals, but in mere accessories, is called hay and stubble, and he that preacheth these shall come to a severe trial. Every mans work, saith the Text, shall be made manifest; where you see the spreading of false Doctrine, is called the work of a man, as in the second Epist. of John, its called evil deeds; and this evil work hath a two-fold effect; First, it makes the owner to suffer loss, that is, all that labour and pains he hath taken shall bring him no profit, whereas if he had employed himself in the truth, his reward would have been great. The lucrum cessans is as great a loss, as the damnum emergens. Oh!

It is a difficult place, and those that would build Purgatory out of it, they are the Architects of that hay and stubble the text speaks of. Not to join with that exposition of some, who by hay and stubble, do understand evil works; nor with Beza, who denieth it to be meant of false doctrine, but only of the manner of preaching: He makes the building of gold and silver, &c. to be the pure and sincere doctrine of Christ; the hay and stubble to be the vain affecting of eloquence and words; but I rather go along with those that interpret the place of false doctrines, but not such as do overthrow the foundation; only they build superfluous & unsound doctrine, upon the true foundation, which is as uncomely, as if you should see a royall palace, which hath gold for the foundation, and precious stones for the wals, yet have the covering of straw and stubble; what deformity would this be? yet so it is with the best preachers that are, who yet adde some errors to the sound Doctrine they deliver. Now for the opening of the place, it is wholly Allegorical; The preachers of Gods word are builders, and they are to raise up a stately palace; the materials are compared to gold and silver, to precious stones.