The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

3. Pernicious also they say it is, as that which takes away the necessity of our own personal Obedience, introducing Antinomianism, Libertinism, and all manner of evils.

3. Pernitious also they say it is, as that which takes away the necessity of our own personal Obedience, introducing Antinomianism, Libertinism, and all manner of evils.

For this last part of the charge, I refer it unto its proper place: For although it be urged by some against this part of the Doctrine of Justification in a peculiar manner, yet is it managed by others, against the whole of it. And ⟨p. 364⟩although we should grant, that the Obedience of Christ unto the Law, is not imputed unto us unto our Justification, yet shall we not be freed from disturbance by this false accusation; unless we will renounce the whole of the satisfaction and merit of Christ also: And we intend not to purchase our Peace with the whole World, at so dear a rate. Wherefore I shall in its proper place give this part of the charge its due consideration, as it reflects on the whole Doctrine of Justification, and all the causes thereof, which we believe and profess.

The first part of this charge, concerning the Impossibility of the Imputation of the obedience of Christ unto us, is insisted on by Socinus de Servat. part 3. cap. 5. And there hath been nothing since pleaded unto the same purpose, but what hath been derived from him, or wherein, at least, he hath not prevented the Inventions of other Men, and gone before them. And he makes this consideration the principal engine wherewith he endeavours the overthrow of the whole Doctrine of the merit of Christ. For he supposeth, that if all he did in a way of Obedience, was due from himself on his own Account, and was only the duty which he owed unto God for himself in his station and circumstances, as a Man in this World, it cannot be meritorious for us, nor any way imputed unto us. And in like manner to weaken the Doctrine of his Satisfaction, and the Imputation thereof unto us, he contends that Christ offered as a Priest for himself, in that kind of offering which he made on the Cross. Part. 2. cap. 22. And his real opinion was, that whatever was of offering or sacrifice in the Death of Christ, it was for himself; that is, it was an Act of Obedience unto God which pleased him, as the savour of a sweet smelling Sacrifice. His offering for us, is only the presentation of himself in the presence of God in Heaven; now he hath no more to do for himself in a way of Duty. And the truth is, if the Obedience of Christ