An answer to the discourse of Mr. William Sherlock, touching the knowledge of Christ,…

Now God and sinners may agree very well, though they have guilt enough, ¹and he justice enough to destroy a world; yet there is no danger, since Christ hath satisfied justice; and though he be infinitely holy, and sinners abominably filthy, yet there is no fear he should loath and abhor them, when they are clothed with the white and spotless robes of Christs righteousness: They are very secure, that neither their past sins, nor present habitual impurities can do them any hurt, they shall be saved notwithstanding their sins.

Now God and sinners may agree very well, though they have guilt enough, ¹and he justice enough to destroy a world; yet there is no danger, since Christ hath satissied justice; and though he be infinitely holy, and sinners abominably filthy, yet there is no fear he should loath and abhor them, when they are cloathed with the white and spotless robes of Christs righteousness: They are very secure, that neither their past sins, nor present habitual impurities can do them any hurt, they shall be saved notwithstanding their sins.

1. 1Mr. Sherlock.

Those who are in truth clothed with Christ's righteousness,¹ are secure, if any thing can do it, against the wrath of God; But are those rich robes worn by impenitent sinners, rolling in their beloved lusts? Or do those robes go alone without the sanctifying Spirit? Who, among those the Author opposes, ever spake or meant so? And why are such odious hints cast forth? The Papists indeed have charged some such things upon Protestants in the point of justification, which made Chemnitius enter his protest thus,² Express damnamus Simonis Magi blasphemiam, qui finxit hominibus gratis fide salvatis liberum esse, ut agant quaecunque velint, seriò abhorremus à Basilidis blasphemiâ, qui finxit ita nos fide salvari, ut universa libido indifferenter usurpari possit. But why one Protestant should draw up such a charge against another, I cannot but wonder; however the Author triumphantly concludes, These are those fundamental doctrines, with which these men have blessed the world, from a pretended acquaintance with Christs person; which ought to be called the Religion of Christs person, in opposition to the Religion of his Gospel: To which I shall only say, that I leave others to judge,