I can bring innumerable Testimonies of the like sort out of well approved Authors. But why do I take up my time in rehearsing the Names of Men, or reckoning their approbations? when, that I may speak it in one word, all the Antiquity of former Ages, the public consent of the former Church, and the choicest Writers out of all Eldest Time, as many as ever rejected the Ancient Pelagianism; all those with one mouth agree in this matter against you, That there is no integrity 1of Righteousness in this Life, which is not imperfect, which needs not forgiveness; That there is not so great an Innocency here, which ⟨p. 166⟩is without any wound, which needs 2no Medicine; and that none of all the Saints have so lived, that a great deal was not wanting to him to complete Righteousness, and who needed not daily to pray for the pardon of his iniquity: As Augustine testifies; Because saith he, there is daily offending, therefore there must be also daily remission. Which things being confirmed by most evident Testimonies of very Learned Witnesses: Where […] is that Salvation, which, according to your description is placed in Righteousness, Holiness, Religion, and the excellent Merits of all Virtues? Where 3is that Righteousness of Works which reconciles us to God, and makes us like God? Where is that Way, which is paved to Heaven for us with the excellent Merits of Works? Where is that Ascent into the Heavenly Kingdom, which is opened by the Merits of the greatest Virtues? Where are the Mansions of the Everlasting Kingdom, which you assert are justly and deservedly given to 4holy and pure men? Where is also that Immortal Kingdom, which you conclude is due by best right, not only as a Recompense and Reward, but also as a Legal Patrimony founded by the wisdom and bounty of the Father? What if according to your Discipline, there is no other way laid open to Salvation, but by keeping the Commandments; and if according to the Judgment of Bernard, the Law is of such a weight, that it wholly exceeds humane strength, (which ⟨p. 167⟩was just now showed) what hope of Salvation does there now remain for us?
I can bring innumerable Testimonies of the like sort out of well approved Authors. But why do I take up my time in rehearsing the Names of Men, or reckoning their approbations? when, that I may speak it in one word, all the Antiquity of former Ages, the publick consent of the former Church, and the choicest Writers out of all Eldest Time, as many as ever rejected the Antient Pelagianism; all those with one mouth agree in this matter against you, That there is no integrity 1of Righteousness in this Life, which is not imperfect, which needs not forgiveness; That there is not so great an Innocency here, which ⟨p. 166⟩is without any wound, which needs 2no Medicine; and that none of all the Saints have so lived, that a great deal was not wanting to him to compleat Righteousness, and who needed not daily to pray for the pardon of his iniquity: As Augustine testifies; Because saith he, there is daily offending, therefore there must be also daily remission. Which things being confirmed by most evident Testimonies of very Learned Witnesses: Where 〈…〉 is that Salvation, which, according to your description is placed in Righteousness, Holiness, Religion, and the excellent Merits of all Vertues? Where 3is that Righteousness of Works which reconciles us to God, and makes us like God? Where is that Way, which is paved to Heaven for us with the excellent Merits of Works? Where is that Ascent into the Heavenly Kingdom, which is opened by the Merits of the greatest Vertues? Where are the Mansions of the Everlasting Kingdom, which you assert are justly and deservedly given to 4holy and pure men? Where is also that Immortal Kingdom, which you conclude is due by best right, not only as a Recompence and Reward, but also as a Legal Patrimony founded by the wisdom and bounty of the Father? What if according to your Discipline, there is no other way laid open to Salvation, but by keeping the Commandments; and if according to the Iudgment of Bernard, the Law is of such a weight, that it wholly exceeds humane strength, (which ⟨p. 167⟩was just now shewed) what hope of Salvation does there now remain for us?
- 1Hieron. Augustin. Cyprian. Orig. hom. 21. on […]Hieron. Augustin. Cyprian. Orig. hom. 21. on 〈…〉
- 2Cyprian de Tentatione Christi. August. de vera & salsa poenitentia. Osor. de Just. l. 5. p. 128.Cyprian de Tentatione Christi. August. de vera & salsa poenitentia. Osor. de Iust. l. 5. p. 128.
- 3Lib 2. pag. 49. Lib. 6. p. 148.
- 4Ibidem.
