The prophecy of Haggai, interpreted and applied in sundry sermonsThe prophesie of Haggai, interpreted and applyed in sundry sermons

Pelagian-like, stick not to pronounce, That if any man shall say, that all the works done before institution, are to be accounted properly sins, or do deserve the hatred and wrath of God: let him be accursed? A curse heretically and blasphemously uttered by Antichristian imps, whose faces are set against Heaven, and their tongues walk through the Earth, for all works done without faith are unclean in Gods sight (as here Haggai teacheth us) but before in justification, no works are done with faith, for then we are justified and made the Sons of God when we believe, John 1. therefore whatsoever works are done before in justification are properly unclean, and do defile, but whatsoever is unclean and doth defile is properly sin Mark. 7. 10. and ⟨p. 157⟩1 Cor. 8 now God hateth all sin Zach. 8 13. he being just in all his ways Psalm 145. ye all works done before in justification are properly sin and deserve Gods wrath, nor can they be pure whiles the heart, the root or fountain whence they proceed is impure and corrupt, now the heart is only purified by faith, Act. 15. 9. and all unbelievers even in their mind and conscience are defiled, Titus 1. 15. the Papists therefore herein curse the Prophets, nay the Lord of life, who here himself spake by the Ministry of his Prophet. And shameless is that shift which Ribera the Jesuit maketh writing one this place •. 76. first saying that the Prophet doth not speak of all the Works of the unregenerate, but only of their sacrifices, from the which gloss (if the Text it self did not refute it, yet where it is plainly added (and all whatsoever they do) yet St. Jeromes authority (which in other places he would seem to esteem.) Should have at least occasioned him to have forborne: and to have rather passed it over in silence then so to have gainsaid him, and the Text, for omnia & cuncta quae agit saith Jerom, (nam de cunctis loquitur profanantur): Nay, Jerome not so content in general only to avouch it: applies it in particular to the works of both Jews, Heretics, and Gentiles, and saith that whatsoever they do (not only whatsoever they offer) their vows, their prayers, their charity, and Alms-deeds, &c. all are unclean: for although thse actions seem in show to be good (& are so indeed in their own nature) yet because they are touched by him that is polluted, they are unclean.