doctrine of Justification to perfons who neither defire nor endeavour to be justified. But those who are really fenfible of their apostasy from God, of the evil of their nature and lives, with the dreadful consequences of fin, in the wrath of God and eternal punishment, cannot but feel themselves deeply concerned to know that divine way in which they may be delivered from their present dangerous condition; nor will they require arguments to convince them of the importance of this doctrine; their own concern in it being sufficient for that purpose. And I shall assure them, that in the management of this subject, from first to last, my grand design has been to inquire into the divine revelation of that way, in which the confcience of a distressed finner may attain assured peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. I lay more weight upon the steady direction of one foul in this inquiry, than upon the confutation of twenty wrangling difputants. The question therefore, to this purpose being stated, as the reader will find in the Introduction, though it was thought necessary to spend some time in the explication of the doctrine, and the terms wherein it is usually taught, yet the main weight of the whole is placed in the interpretation of Scripture Testimonies, with their application to the experience of believers, and the state of those who are seeking falvation by Jesus Christ. There are, therefore, a few things, which I defire the reader to notice, that he may receive benefit by the ensuing discourse.

1. Though

a

1. Though there are, at present, various contests about the doctrine of Justification, and many controverfial writings published concerning it; yet this discourse was not compofed with a design to contend with, or contradict, any of them. A few paffages, indeed, which have that tendency, are occasionally inferted; but they are such as every candid reader will judge to have been necessary. I have ascribed no opinion to any particular person, much less wrested the words of any, reflected on their perfons, censured their abilities, taken advan-tage of prefumed prejudices against them, or reprefented their fentiments in the deformed reflections of strained confequences. To declare and vindicate the truth, for the instruction and edification of fuch as love it in fincerity; to extricate their minds from those difficulties in this particular instance, which fome endeavour to cast on all gospel mysteries; to direct the confciences of those who are seeking peace with God; and to establish the hearts of those who believe, are the objects at which I have aimed. And an endeavour to this end, confidering all circumstances, and that station which God hath been pleased to give me in the Church, appeared necessary to me.

2. I have written nothing but what I believe to be true, and adapted to the promotion of gospel obedience. The reader must not expect an extract of other men's notions, nor a collection and improve

a 3

improvement of their arguments; but a simple inquiry into the nature of the things treated of, as revealed in the Scripture, and as evidencing themselves in their power and efficacy on the minds of believers. The practical direction of the consciences of men in their application to God by Jesus Christ, for deliverance from the curse of the law and peace with him, together with the influence of the truth in universal evangelical obedience, is the fingle object to be aimed at in handling this doctrine: and therefore, whoever would treat of it in a proper manner, should weigh whatever he afferts, in his own mind and experience; and not dare to propose that to others, which he doth not himself abide by, in the most intimate recesses of his mind; in his nearest approaches to God; in his surprisals with danger; in deep afflictions; in his preparations for death; and most humble contemplations of the infinite distance between God and himself. Other notions and disputations about the doctrine of Juftification, not seasoned with these ingredients, however fuited to the palates of fome, by skill and language, are infipid, and useless, immediately degenerating into an unprofitable strife of words.

3. I am aware that the doctrine for which we plead, is charged, by many, with an unfriendly aspect towards the neceffity of holiness and good works; yea, utterly destructive of it. So it was, at the first clear revelation of it, by the Apostle Paul, as he frequent

ly

ly declares. But it is sufficiently evinced by him,
to be the chief principle of, and motive to, all ac-
ceptable obedience. It is admitted, that the ob.
jective grace of the Gospel, in the doctrine of it, is
liable to abuse, where there is nothing of the fub-
jective grace of it in the heart. So it was charged
by the Papists, at the Reformation: Yet, as it gave
occafion to the Reformation itself, so was it that by
which the fouls of men being liberated from in-
numerable superstitious fears and observances, and
directed into the way of peace with God, were made
fruitful in real holiness, abounding in all those blef-
fed effects of the life of God, which were never
found among their adversaries.

The fame charge was afterwards renewed by the
Socinians, who still continue to make it. But I
suppose that wife and impartial men will not lay
much stress on their accusations, until they have
manifested the efficacy of their contrary perfuafion
by better effects than they have hitherto produced *.

Whereas, therefore, the whole Gospel is " the
truth which is after godliness," declaring and ex-
hibiting that "grace of God, which teacheth us to
deny all ungodliness and wordly lusts, and to live
soberly, and righteously, and godly, in this world;"

we
}

1

we being fallen into those times, wherein, under
great contests about opinions and practices in reli-
gion, there is a horrible decay of true gospel purity,
and holiness of life, I shall readily grant that, re-
taining a due regard to the only standard of truth,
a secondary trial of doctrines may, and ought to be
made, by the walk and conversation of those who
receive and profess them. And though we admit,
that the doctrine we maintain is liable to abuse, as
is the whole doctrine of the grace of God; and
though the way and means of its influence into uni-
verfal obedience, be not difcernible without fome
beams of fpiritual light; yet, if it cannot preserve
its station in the Church by this rule, of its useful
tendency to the promotion of godliness, I shall be
content that it be exploded. Every thing elfe,
which I conceive to be necessary to the right under-
standing and due improvement of the truth pleaded,
for, will be comprised in the following General
Confiderations.

MAY 30, 1677.

J. O.

CON-