The Covenant of Grace

Prop. 1. That a Sanctification, which the terrors of the Law may produce (that is to say, such a Sanctification as may be found in a Covenant of works) is no evidence or witness of our union with Christ. And I suppose there is no difference there; but though there be no difference in mens judgements in this, ⟨p. 59⟩yet it is an easy thing for Christians to abuse their Evidence upon this very ground, and as much upon this ground as upon any: For when Christians come to be really wrought upon, and find themselves discouraged from sin, and so reform their lives and give up themselves to obey the word, and find comfort therein (and great consolation many times) in such a case as this, Christians do much differ upon the point; yet I do not know any of all the Teachers in the Country, that withdraw their consents from this doctrine, that such Sanctification, as is wrought in Hypocrites, though it may reach to great improvements, yet it is no evidence of Justification at all. And it hath been handled in another Congregation, and I think not without weight of truth; that to distinguish in men between that Sanctification which floweth from the Law, and that which is of the Gospel, is a matter so narrow, that the Angels in Heaven have much ado to discern who differ: a work fitter for Angels to cut the scantling in it, then for the Ministers of the Gospel, though indeed there be great difference ⟨p. 60⟩of the one from the other. Now though this do not tend to heal any difference in judgement, yet it is useful to heal a misprision of sanctification that may be found in all Hypocrites of this Country, and elsewhere.

Prop. 1. That a Sanctification, which the terrors of the Law may produce (that is to say, such a Sanctification as may be found in a Covenant of works) is no evidence or witnesse of our union with Christ. And I suppose there is no difference there; but though there be no difference in mens judgements in this, ⟨p. 59⟩yet it is an easie thing for Christians to abuse their Evidence upon this very ground, and as much upon this ground as upon any: For when Christians come to be really wrought upon, and find themselves discouraged from sin, and so reforme their lives and give up themselves to obey the word, and find comfort therein (and great consolation many times) in such a case as this, Christians doe much differ upon the point; yet I doe not know any of all the Teachers in the Country, that withdraw their consents from this doctrine, that such Sanctification, as is wrought in Hypocrites, though it may reach to great improvements, yet it is no evidence of Justification at all. And it hath been handled in another Congregation, and I thinke not without weight of truth; that to distinguish in men between that Sanctification which floweth from the Law, and that which is of the Gospel, is a matter so narrow, that the Angels in Heaven have much adoe to discern who differ: a work fitter for Angels to cut the scantling in it, then for the Ministers of the Gospel, though indeed there be great difference