A30248:537
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,…
The true doctrine of justification asserted and vindicated, from the errors of Papists, Arminians, Socinians, and more especially Antinomians in XXX lectures preached at Lawrence-Jury, London / by Anthony Burgess ...The true doctrine of justification asserted and vindicated, from the errours of Papists, Arminians, Socinians, and more especially Antinomians in XXX lectures preached at Lawrence-Iury, London / by Anthony Burgess ...
London: printed by A. Miller for Tho. Underhill, 1651
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
14. By reason of the Difficulty, and supernatural way of believing, it is, that Pardon may be in Heaven, when we cannot apply it in our Consciences. Hence though the Promises ⟨p. 201⟩be never so much for our ease, and thereupon infinitely to be desired, yet the way of believing this, is so far above natural conscience, which expects Justification by works, that the heart of a man hath much ado to close with it. Therefore faith is not like other Graces or Duties (viz. Love of God, Humility, &c.) which have some obscure footsteps in the natural dictates of conscience, but it is wholly supernatural; yea Adam in the state of integrity knew not this kind of believing in the righteousness of a Mediator. For as the object of faith, viz. Christ, is only by revelation, no counsel of men or Angels could have excogitated such a truth; so faith, as it is the hand or organ applying Christs righteousness, is a duty not manifested by humane light, but wholly from above. And as flesh and blood doth not reveal to us, That Christ is the Son of the living God, so neither that we are to have remission of sins only by faith in his blood. Hence the Scripture makes faith the gift of God, which coming from the Spirit into our hearts, meeteth with much contrariety and opposition of doubts and unbelief. No wonder therefore if after the heart of a man hath been awakened for sin, there remain some commotions a long while after: even as the sea after tempests & winds, though they be allayed, yet for some space after roareth and rageth, not leaving its troubles presently, as you heard before. Though therefore as God pardoneth in Heaven, he offereth it also unto our Consciences, yet we refuse and put it off, we will not be comforted, because it is not a comfort flowing in the way we look for, viz. by working. And for this reason, though David heard Nathan pronounce his pardon, yet he doth vehemently importune for it afterwards in Psalm. 51. as if he had not the least notice of any such mercy to him.
14. By reason of the Difficulty, and supernaturall way of believing, it is, that Pardon may be in Heaven, when we cannot apply it in our Consciences. Hence though the Promises ⟨p. 201⟩