Twenty sermons preached at Oxford before His Majesty, and elsewhere

Now that I may unfold it, and show what a fearful thing it is to be under the Law, to be held under it (although many think it no great matter) hearken what the Apostle saith of it: Cursed be every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the Law to do them, Gal. 3.10. Well then, art thou under the Law? Then never think of being under grace at the same time; not but that we may hope to be under grace afterwards: By this Law we must be judged, and the Judgment of the Law is very severe: It requires not only, that thou do this, or that good thing; but if thou continuest not in every thing, that is written therein, it condemns thee.

Now that I may unfold it, and shew what a fearful thing it is to be under the Law, to be held under it (although many think it no great matter) hearken what the Apostle saith of it: Cursed be every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the Law to doe them, Gal. 3.10. Well then, art thou under the Law? Then never think of being under grace at the same time; not but that we may hope to be under grace afterwards: By this Law we must be judged, and the Judgment of the Law is very severe: It requires not onely, that thou do this, or that good thing; but if thou continuest not in every thing, that is written therein, it condemns thee.

Strange conceits men have now adays, and strange Divinity is brought forth into the World: That if a man does as much as lies in him, and what he is of himself able to do; nay farther, though he be a Heathen, that knows not Christ, yet if he doth the best he can; if he live honestly towards men; according to the conduct of his reason, and hath a good mind towards God, it's enough, he need not question his eternal welfare. A cursed and desperate Doctrine they conclude hence? Why (say they) may not this man be saved as well as the best? But if it be so, I ask such, What is the benefit and advantage of the Jew more then the Gentile? What is the benefit of Christ? of the Church? of Faith? of Baptism? of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper? This ground of Pelagianism, is that, for which the devout Spouse of Christ, the Church abhors us: when we shall undertake to bring a man to salvation without Christ: whereas, if he be not under grace, under Christ, he is accursed. If thou wilt be saved by the Law, it is not thy endeavour or doing, what lieth in thee; that will serve the turn; every jot and ittle that the Law requires, must be fulfilled. What would be thine estate, if thou shouldst be examined according to the strict rigour of the Law? Not the least word or thought, that is contrary to it, but thou must give an account for. If thou standest upon thine own bottom, or lookest to be saved by thine own deeds; not one vain word which thou speakest, but thou shalt be questioned for, cast, and condemned. Consider then the great difference of being under Christ and grace, and of being under the Law. When we are under Christ, we are freed