A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

1. Whereas our Saviour hath determined that our happiness consisteth not in the knowing the things of the Gospel, but in doing of them; and seeing that no man can expect any benefit or advantage from or by Christ Jesus, but only they that yield obedience unto him, to whom alone he is a Captain of Salvation; the first thing wherein all that profess Christianity ought to agree and consent together is, jointly to obey the commands of Christ, to live godly, righteously and soberly ⟨p. 206⟩in this present world, following after holiness without which no man shall see God: Until we all agree in this, and make it our business, and fix it as our end, in vain shall we attempt to agree in notional and speculative Truths; nor would it be much to our advantage so to do. For as I remember I have told you before, so I now on this occasion tell you again, It will at the last day appear, that it is all one to any man what party or way in Christian Religion he hath been of, if he have not personally been born again, and upon mixing the Promises of Christ with faith, have thereupon yielded obedience unto him unto the end. I confess men may have many advantages in one way that they may not have in another: They may have better means of instruction, and better examples for imitation; But as to the event, it will be one and the same with all unbelievers, all unrighteous, and ungodly Persons; And men may be very zealous believers in a Party, who are in the sight of God unbelievers as to the whole design of the Gospel. This is a Principle wherein as I take it all Christians agree, namely that the Profession of Christianity will do no man the least Good as to his eternal concernments, that lives not up to the power of it; yea it will be an aggravation of his condemnation: And the want hereof, is that which hath lost all the lustre and splendour of the Religion taught by Jesus Christ in the world. Would Christians of all Parties make it their business to retrieve its reputation, wherein also their own bliss and happiness is involved, by an universal obedience unto the precepts of it, it would insensibly sink a thousand of their Differences under ground. Were this attended unto, the world would quickly say with admiration Magnus ab integro sêcloram nascitur ordo: Jam nova progenies Coelo demittitur alto.

1. Whereas our Saviour hath determined that our happiness consisteth not in the knowing the things of the Gospell, but in doing of them; and seeing that no man can expect any benefit or advantage from or by Christ Jesus, but only they that yeeld obedience unto him, to whom alone he is a Captain of Salvation; the first thing wherein all that profess Christianity ought to agree and consent together is, joyntly to obey the commands of Christ, to live godlliy, righteously and soberly