Truth and innocence vindicated in a survey of a discourse concerning ecclesiastical polity, and…

But he renews his charge, pag. 73. So destructive of all true and real goodness is the very Religion of those men, that are wont to set grace at odds with virtue; and are so far from making them the same, that they make them inconsistent; and though a man be exact in all the duties of moral goodness, yet if he be a graceless person (i. e. void of I know not what imaginary Godliness) he is but in a cleaner way to Hell; and his conversion is more hopeless than the vilest and most notorious sinners, and the morally Righteous man is at a greater distance from grace, than the profane; and better be lend and debauched than live an honest and virtuous life, if you are not of the Godly Party; with much more to this purpose. For the men that are ⟨p. 225⟩wont to set grace at odds with virtue, and are so far from making them the same, that they make them inconsistent; I wish our Author would discover them, that he might take us along with him in his detestation of them. It is not unlikely, if all be true that is told of them, but that the Gnostics might have some principles not unlike this; but beside them I never heard of any that were of this mind in the world. And in truth the liberty that is taken in these discourses, is a great instance of the morality under consideration. But the following words will direct us where these things are charged. For some say, that if a man be exact in all the Duties of moral Goodness, yet if he be a Graceless Person, void of I know not what imaginary Godliness, he is but in a cleaner way to Hell. I think I know both what, and who are intended, and that both are dealt withal with that candour we have been now accustomed unto. But First, you will scarce find those you intend over forward in granting that men may be exact in all the Duties of Moral goodness, and yet be graceless persons. For taking Moral virtues to comprehend, as you do, their duties toward God, they will tell you such Persons cannot perform one of them aright, much less all of them ⟨p. 226⟩exactly. For they can neither trust in God, no believe him, nor fear him, nor glorify him in a due manner. Take the Duties of moral Goodness, for the duties of the Law between man and man, and the observation of the outward Duties of Gods worship, and they say indeed, that they may be so performed as that in respect of them, men may be blameless, and yet be Graceless.

But he renews his charge, pag. 73. So destructive of all true and real goodness is the very Religion of those men, that are wont to set grace at odds with vertue; and are so farr from making them the same, that they make them inconsistent; and though a man be exact in all the duties of moral goodness, yet if he be a graceless person (i. e. void of I know not what imaginary Godliness) he is but in a cleaner way to Hell; and his conversion is more hopeless than the vilest and most notorious sinners, and the morally Righteous man is at a greater distance from grace, than the prophane; and better be lend and debanched than live an honest and vertuous life, if you are not of the Godly Party; with much more to this purpose. For the men that are