A discourse of the true nature of the Gospel demonstrating that it is no…

Salvian's Testimony proves no more than that the Christian Law, or the Doctrine of Grace, was dishonoured by some Mens abusing it to Licentiousness. Bradwardine I must confess speaks plainly to my Reverend Brother's Purpose; but it is no wonder: for tho with incomparable Strength, and Closeness of Reason, he refuted the Pelagian Heresies, yet he was a Papist, and consequently firm to the Belief of the Roman Creed, the principal Article of which is Merit. He accordingly, tho utterly disclaiming Works done by Nature, yet asserts Works done by Grace to be meritorious. To support this Assertion, the Writers of the Church of Rome have taken care to lay down another as its main Foundation, that the Gospel is a new Law; and therefore by obeying of the Precepts of it, which are made the Conditions, we deservedly (as they assert) obtain, by virtue of God's Covenant stipulated with us on such Terms, the promised Rewards. Bradwardine accordingly maintains the Gospel to be a new Law, and that whoever shall keep this Christian Law, shall receive eternal Glory. ^aSo that this Man's Authority in the present Case (however great and excellent he is in other Points) will not reflect any Glory on this Hypothesis; but rather doth disparage it, since it evinceth how near this Opinion of the Gospel's being a new Law, approacheth to Popery, tho I cannot entertain a thought, that any of my Reverend Brethren do designedly make the least advancing step to it.

Salvian's Testimony proves no more than that the Christian Law, or the Doctrine of Grace, was dishonour'd by some Mens abusing it to Licentiousness. Bradwardine I must confess speaks plainly to my Reverend Brother's Purpose; but it is no wonder: for tho with incomparable Strength, and Closeness of Reason, he refuted the Pelagian Heresies, yet he was a Papist, and consequently firm to the Belief of the Roman Creed, the principal Article of which is Merit. He accordingly, tho utterly disclaiming Works done by Nature, yet asserts Works done by Grace to be meritorious. To support this Assertion, the Writers of the Church of Rome have taken care to lay down another as its main Foundation, that the Gospel is a new Law; and therefore by obeying of the Precepts of it, which are made the Conditions, we deservedly (as they assert) obtain, by virtue of God's Covenant stipulated with us on such Terms, the promised Rewards. Bradwardine accordingly maintains the Gospel to be a new Law, and that whoever shall keep this Christian Law, shall receive eternal Glory.