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,…

But only God hath appointed one effect of his grace before another in order, and he will not vouchsafe one before he hath wrought the other. As for instance, God hath appointed no unclean thing shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven, God will not give glory where he hath not given grace. If one should tragically exclaim upon this, This is to make God need our graces, This is to make grace meritorious with God, This is to be a Papist, a Formalist, to make men rest in themselves; you would presently judge this a vain, weak cavil: No less is it, when we are charged thus, for holding God will not forgive sin but to those that believe and repent. It is not for any worth in what we do, but because God will have an order and a method in his graces, Justification where Repentance is, Glorification where Holiness is. It being not fit to give pearl unto swine, nor children's meat to dogs.

But only God hath appointed one effect of his grace before another in order, and he will not vouchsafe one before he hath wrought the other. As for instance, God hath appointed no unclean thing shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven, God will not give glory where he hath not given grace. If one should tragically exclaim upon this, This is to make God need our graces, This is to make grace meritorious with God, This is to be a Papist, a Formalist, to make men rest in themselves; you would presently judge this a vain, weak cavill: No less is it, when we are charged thus, for holding God will not forgive sin but to those that believe and repent. It is not for any worth in what we do, but because God will have an order and a method in his graces, Justification where Repentance is, Glorification where Holiness is. It being not fit to give pearl unto swine, nor childrens meat to dogs.

Fifthly, If a man may believe his sins are pardoned, before they be committed, and so before repented of, then he may have full joy and unspeakable boasting in God, while he lieth wallowing in the midst of sins. The reason of the consequence is this, By such an act of faith, we have peace with God, and we glory in him. This floweth, as a proper effect of faith, though it do not alway follow, yet it may follow, and happily it is our weakness,