When even the Inherent Righteoufnefs, upon which they hang all the weight of their Salvation, Yet fuch an Ordinary Attainment do they make of it; that a Heathen man, or an Unregenerate Sinner, might undertake to reach and accomplish as good a Righteouf nefs. For Regeneration, they treat as a Child of the Imagination: And only for the Sport that it gives 'em, they might pass it over in deep Silence. Belike they may not think themselves concern'd in our Lord's Determination; Mat. 18. 3. Except ye be Converted, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. And John 3. 3. Except a man be Born again, be cannot fee the Kingdom of God. Yea for (that which is their Pride,) the very Morality; Yet I know the cafe, wherein they can make it a Difpenfible Quality. For I have heard fome of 'em, fetch off an Egregious Swearer, Drunkard, or Scandalous Liver, for a very Good Honeft man; of whofe Happiness they feem'd not to make any doubt: Because they were perfuaded he meant no Hurt; but only had fuch Failings. And at that rate, as Loofe as they count our Do&trine of Faith in Chrift; We may fay of their Self-Righteoufnefs, Wide is the Gate; and Broad is the Way: Who almoft, can mifs it? They are indeed the quickest Operators to relieve a Troubled Confcience. And if what they lay down, would but serve the F 4

turn;

turn; 'Twere the eafieft matter in the World, to do that, which Elihu, Job 35. 23. took for the work of an Interpreter, one among a Thoufand; To fhew unto a man his Uprightness; To point out that, which will be a Convincing Evidence of ones Title to the Kingdom of Heaven.

But however the Righteoufnefs of Faith, may be Charged, as Deftructive of Good Life; (and let others take their Liberty to Judge as they find;). As far as my own Experience reaches, I muft needs Teftify, That I know no fuch Holy, Humble, Charitable, Heavenly, Livers, as fome of these cenfured Believers. And many that Live and Lean by Faith on the Son of God, have much more of the Goodness to fhew in their Converfations; than others that would Engrofs it all to themfelvcs, in their Difputations. Nor can I fo admire any, even the belt, of the Socinians; As to think, they do Exceed, or come near to Equal our holy Reformers: Who yet were the known Maintainers of this Doctrine of Faith: And even Built the Reformation upon it. And as they Lived great Examples, to Honour it: So they Died faithful Martyrs, to Affert it. And they that cry, It is no thanks to the Doctrine, if fome mens Converfation under it, be as becomes the Gofpel; Talk like those that do not know the Truth, as it is in Jefus : Nor

what

what an Operative Principle, is the Faith of Chrift, to produce all the Fruits of a Godly Life. For if indeed I do Believe in him, as Dying for my Sins; and making my Peace through the Blood of his Crofs; How can I but Love him; Yea Love him the more, the more I Believe he has done, on my Account? And I cannot Love him, but I fhall fet my felf to Please him. And then fure am I like to do him more Ingenious and Acceptable Service; than when I work only as a Slave, for Dread; or as a Hireling, for Wages.

I know, the Papifts alfo Traduce ours, for a Loofe Religion; Because we teach this Juftification by Faith only. And yet how often have we seen the Loofe Livers among us, run over to them for Ease, and fuch Hopes in an ill way, as we could not give 'em? If Faith in Chrift be any part of our Goodness, (as I cannot but think it is; Becaufe God has commanded it, and promis'd everlafting Life to it ;) Is it not enough then to bring the whole Pretenfion of their Goodnefs under Sufpicion; who make so bold, to Explode and Ridicule this Faith; as a thing of more Mischief, than Benefit to the World? And they that use to be fo Saucy with Gospel Myfteries, do not afford Faith any more Civil Ufage: But that which St Paul calls the Mystery of Faith; 1 Tim. 3. 9. It is doubt, is ftill fuch a Mystery to them, That when

when they make it their Bauble, to Play with; and their Eye-Sore, to Rail at; They Feer, and they Strike, at they know not what. But if the Well-Living greatly depends upon the Sound Believing: The Credenda, then, I think, ought to have a fair Treatment, as well as the Agenda. And if fome did Believe of our Lord Jefus, as they Should; They would fhew a little better Manners, and more Reverence to him, than they do. And as he Commended the Centurion, Matt. 8. 10. I have not found fo great Faith, no not in Ifrael: I wish I could not fay it, to the Reproach of fome, that would thrust themselves for Shelter under our Ifrael: I have not found fo great Infidelity, no not in Rome. Where an Honourable Author, (in his Acute way,) has long fince told 'em, They make a Feft of Chrift's Three Offices: Yet they have not gone about to Plunder him of his Eternal Deity, and his Infinite Satisfaction; On which depends all our Juftification here; and our Salvation for ever.

But they that can allow and plead for the Worshipping of our Saviour; and yet tell us, We need not Concern our felves, Whether he be God or not: Would thus run us upon the fame Abfurdity, as he condemn'd in the Samaritan; John 4. 22. To Worship we know not what: Yea to give the Glory of God, (for ought we know,) to a Creature. And

And then we are like to be Good Livers, when fuch foul Idolaters. But (after all the Oftentation,) I fhould not doubt to find as good Life and Morals, yea as good Righte oufness and Religion, as theirs; even among the old Ethnick Philofophers. Nor do I queftion but St. Paul, who was as great a Scholar, was alfo as Good a Liver, as Socinus: Yea how incomparably Better? And yet he Believed, That Jefus Chrift was over all God Bleffed for ever. Rom. 9. 5. And that we are Juftified by Faith in him, without Works of the Law: Yea by Faith, in Contradiftinction from Works. Rom. 11. 6. If it be by Grace, (lays he,) then it is no more of Works; otherwife Grace is no more Grace. But if it be of Works, then it is no more Grace; otherwife Work is no more Work. And of this Faith and Doctrine, 'Tis moft evident, He was a moft Zealous Promoter. They therefore that asperse it, as tending to Ill Life, and Diffolution of Manners, must needs reflect on him, as a very Shallow Preacher, or none of the best Liver.

But fure it can be no part of their Goodnefs, to Juftify themselves; and Pride it in their own Righteousness; and remain too fturdy, ever to Submit to the Righteousness of God; and Wriggle themfelves out of that Meekness of Faith, which his Word makes their duty; as much as the Holiness of Life.

But