Why are we "justified by Faith?" It is of Faith-that it might be by Grace. Rom. iv. 4-6, 14-16... Acts xviii. 27. How are we to obtain the Remission of our Sins? Through "the riches of divine Grace." Eph. i. 6, 7. Col, i. 12———14. . . Acts xiii. 39. What is the primary efficacious Cause of Faith? The Grace of God. Acts xviii. 27. How are we saved?" By Grace through Faith." Eph. ii. 8, 9... Tit. ii. 11——14. Acts xv. 11. Why are we to be saved in this particular mode? Consult Eph. ii. 7. Could we flatter ourselves with the prospect of public encouragement, they might appear, Eas o Kupios Senon, on some future occasion. In the mean time, let not the vain and haughty Sons of artificial Erudition disdain the simple style, in which these great matters are conveyed to us in holy Writ Christianity, like its divine Author, is “a Guide of the blind, a Light to them that sit in darkness, an Instructor of the foolish, and a Teacher of babes." What is the inexhaustible Source of all personal Holiness, Excellence, Virtue, and acceptable Service? The divine Grace. 1 Cor. xv. 10. . . . 2 Cor. i. 12... ix. 8... 2 Tim. ii. 1... Hebr. xii. 28... xiii. 9. Zechar. xii. 10... Col. iii. 16. Eph. iv. 29. How is the christian Progress, or Advancement, in the divine Life, represented in the Scriptures? By "growth in Grace." 2 Pet. iii. 18. What are the Treasures, which God hath promised to the humble? The treasures of Grace. . . Jam. iv. 6. . . 1 Pet. V. 5. What is the Security, and Stability of the Soul, as to its supreme Happiness? Divine Grace. . . . 2 Cor. xii. 9. . . Hebr. xiii. 9. Where must we apply for all spiritual Blessings in heavenly things? To "the Throne of Grace." Hebr. iv. 16. What is the greatest Good, we can pos- What is the Consummation of all earthly What is Heaven?" The Grace, which To what are the perfect Unity and 32--35. What will be the everlasting Theme Αυτή εςι αληθινη Χαρις τε Θεε * *The very Simplicity, however, of such a Statement of It will be no surprise at all to this Writer, should the majority of those, who have patience enough to conduct them through these pages, exclaim, "What new doctrine is this!" The general ignorance, of pure, original Christianity, is melancholy beyond expression *. Totally detached from all Sects, and Parties, a more gusting, in this enlightened and refined Age! though one of the most elegant of the latin Fathers long ago observed, Simplex et nuda Veritas est luculentior; quia satis ornata per se est adeoque ornamentis extrinsecus additis fucata corrumpitur: mendacium verò specie placet aliena. LACTANTIUS. Dilucida et negligenter quoque omnibus aperta; ut in animum Veritas, tanquam Sol in oculos, etiamsi in eam non intendatur, occurrat. Quare, non ut intelligere possit, sed ne omnino possit non intelligere, curandum. * If any doubt be entertained, whether the national Church supports this idea of Religion, perpend the nature of her Doctrines, and the character of all her Devotions. Look particularly into the language of her Collects-and, especially, into those for, AdInnocents' day.... Epiphany vent I. 5. After Easter 2. 4. ... isolated Being, who is not quite cast on a desert Island, can scarce exist. In such a nity 1. . . II. 17. .., 18.This is only a brief Specimen of the Style and Spirit, which pervades all her Institutions. She recognizes no Religion of Reason, Philosophy, Free-will, or Self-determination. Examine her Articles, 9. 10. 13. 17.... and her Collects, for Ashwednesday; Lent, 2. Easter, 4. 5. Whitsunday. Trinity 1. 4. 6. 7. 9. 13. 15. 19. 25. Let the Millions, who profess the national Faith, study their own Religion, in these Articles, and Collects-if they wish to understand it. For, is it not an exercise of Candour, at the expence of Truth and Fact, to admit, that, in the long run, more than five in fifty are acquainted with the import of either ? Perfectly willing to account to the Public, for any Zeal I have shewn, in illustrating the great Fundamentals already stated, be it observed, that, " To seek Salvation by the deeds of the Law, is, in effect, to subvert the very nature and design of Salvation by Jesus Christ: that, on the ground of Justification by works, the whole mediatorial Work of Jesus Christ, and the Agency of the Holy Ghost, would be superseded altogether; for, "if Righteousness come by the Law, Christ is dead in vain," and, "The Grace of God" is utterly frustrated: that, the Doctrines, we oppose, are calculated in their obvious tendency to flatter the Vanity, and feed the Pride, of the human heart-to promote Boasting, and to destroy Humility: and that, there could be no Certainty of salvation, were it not founded on Faith, and Grace. Rom. iv. 16.” |