4. Nor can there be a continued tract of repentance, and begun reformation of life which is a work of the Gospel and New Covenant, not of the Law, except there be a hopeful ⟨p. 99⟩mourning for sin, and a looking to him by faith, whom we have pierced, Zech. 12. 10. nor is it godly sorrow working repentance to salvation never to be repented of, as 2 Cor. 7. 10, 11. which wants faith of salvation, and faith of salvation in Christ without faith of pardon, yea or begun justification without faith of pardon, is unpossible. Nor can there be a bringing forth fruit in Christ as implanted in the Vine-tree (which is only reformation of life acceptable to God) while men be first, by faith, engrafted in Christ as branches, growing in him, John 15. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. nor walking in God's Commandments, while first the heart of stone be removed, and a new heart and a new spirit given, as Ezech. 36. 26, 27. Isa. 44. 1, 2, 3, 4. nor can we believe with justifying and saving faith, while we be born again, 1 John 5. 1, 4, 5. for if so, it were as much as the tree blossoms, grows, and brings forth fruit, ere it be planted, and the birth moves and stirs and receives seed and nourishment in the womb, before it receive life in the womb. 3. Nor does the Scripture tell us of a premeriting of the faith of pardon and remission by a reformation of life, so as conversion, the Gospel, and accepting of Christ as Lord, and a tract of obedience was required of the Jailer, of Lydia, and of the Thief upon the Cross, before they believe. For accepting of Christ as Lord, is obeying of Christ, and faith in Christ, as saith Mr Baxter; and so Faith must be required before Faith, and Reformation of life, before Reformation of life; and so Mr. Baxter forbids us to believe and accept Christ, for our Lord and King, pardoning treason, while first we have reformed our lives. Now to reform our lives Evangelically, (for of this he must mean) is to accept Christ as our Lord; that is, to do Evangelically and live, to obey the new Law, and to perform new obedience to Christ. Hence he saith, ibid. pag. 28. I desire him to tell me, whether he can prove, that any mans sins are pardoned, before they have accepted Christ for their Lord? that is, before faith. If not, whether this be not the Subjection of the soul to Christ to be governed by him, and so a heart-reformation. Now it may be told Mr.
4. Nor can there be a continued tract of repentance, and begun reformation of life which is a work of the Gospel and New Covenant, not of the Law, except there be a hopeful ⟨p. 99⟩mourning for sin, and a looking to him by faith, whom we have pierced, Zech. 12. 10. nor is it godly sorrow working repentance to salvation never to be repented of, as 2 Cor. 7. 10, 11. which wants faith of salvation, and faith of salvation in Christ without faith of pardon, yea or begun justification without faith of pardon, is unpossible. Nor can there be a bringing forth fruit in Christ as implanted in the Vine-tree (which is only reformation of life acceptable to God) while men be first, by faith, engrafted in Christ as branches, growing in him, John 15. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. nor walking in God's Commandments, while first the heart of stone be removed, and a new heart and a new spirit given, as Ezech. 36. 26, 27. Isa. 44. 1, 2, 3, 4. nor can we believe with justifying and saving faith, while we be born again, 1 John 5. 1, 4, 5. for if so, it were as much as the tree blossoms, grows, and brings forth fruit, ere it be planted, and the birth moves and stirs and receives seed and nourishment in the womb, before it receive life in the womb. 3. Nor does the Scripture tell us of a premeriting of the faith of pardon and remission by a reformation of life, so as conversion, the Gospel, and accepting of Christ as Lord, and a tract of obedience was required of the Jaylor, of Lydia, and of the Thief upon the Cross, before they believe. For accepting of Christ as Lord, is obeying of Christ, and faith in Christ, as saith Mr Baxter; and so Faith must be required before Faith, and Reformation of life, before Reformation of life; and so Mr. Baxter forbids us to believe and accept Christ, for our Lord and King, pardoning treason, while first we have reformed our lives. Now to reform our lives Evangelically, (for of this he must mean) is to accept Christ as our Lord; that is, to doe Evangelically and live, to obey the new Law, and to perform new obedience to Christ. Hence he saith, ibid. pag. 28. I desire him to tell me, whether he can prove, that any mans sins are pardoned, before they have accepted Christ for their Lord? that is, before faith. If not, whether this be not the Subjection of the soul to Christ to be governed by him, and so a heart-reformation. Now it may be told Mr.
