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The true State of Goſpel Truth, Eſtabliſhed upon the Free Election of God in Chriſt: THE Agreement, and yet Difference between Law and Goſpel; So, that the Goſpel cannot be ſtiled Law.
THE Inconditionateneſs of the Goſpel Salvation.
THE Procedure of the Day of Judgment. In the way of a Conciliatory Diſcourſe upon Mr. Williams his CONCESSIONS.
By T. Beverley.
LONDON. Printed for William Marſhall, at the Bible in Newgate ſtreet, where you may be ſupplied with moſt of Mr. Beverley's Works, and Dr. Owen's late Pieces, viz. His Dominion of Sin and Grace. Bound 1 s. His Meditations and Diſcourſes concerning the Glory of Chriſt, being the Second Part, and Application of the Firſt Part that have been Printed twice. Price Bound 1 s. Two Diſcourſes lately Printed of the Work of the Spirit that is wanting in Dr. Owen's Folio: Both Diſcourſes Bound together in Octavo. Price 2 s. His Guide to Church Fellowſhip. Bound 6 d. You may likewiſe be ſupplied with moſt of Dr. Owen ▪s Books in Print. 1693.
The PREFACE.
THat the Jealouſie of ſo many of the Servants of Chriſt hath been ſo exceedingly Awakned, and Enflamed by Mr. William's ſuſpicious Attempts to obſcure the Doctrin of the Free Grace of God in Chriſt, is to me a very great Prognoſtick of that Kingdom of Redemption drawing nigh, and that Philadelphian State, to which Chriſt hath opened a Door, which none can ſhut; and they therefore, who are now neareſt to it are obliged by Chriſt to hold faſt his Word herein, that among all the Profeſſors of Proteſtancy, who hold it in this part ſo looſe, none ſhould take their Crown, who are true Philadelphians.
Hence it appears, that no more diſadvantagious a Time could have been Choſen out by thoſe, who would Eclipſe that Glory of Free Grace, for their making an Attack or Impreſſion upon thoſe Doctrins, wherein it is concern'd, with Succeſs; So I hope it does appear; No happier time, when in this preſent Sardian State, there is but room for diſpute concerning them, could have been ſingled out for the Friends of it then now; when ſo many zealous Maintainers and Defenders of it have openly ſhewn themſelves, and offered themſelves willingly; ſhould I ſay, To help the Lord againſt the Mighty in the high Places of the Field of theſe Debates for ſo great Truths?
And indeed it is a duty on ſuch Occaſions, to Diſcover the Foundation of Error and Miſtake, even to the very Neck; and if in this Search, ſome Eſſays are to find out; and to bring out of the Scripture Treaſury, not only Things Old, but New; I hope, none will be offended; ſeeing as it is a duty at all times, ſo it is more hopeful ſo near the day dawning, and the Day-ſtar ariſing, ſuch humble Offers ſhould not be accounted fooliſh Fires; but ſome Beams and Rays of that Light, that ſhall appear more and more to the perfect day.
In the mean Time, I have made it my earneſt Endeavor not only to preſerve herein the Analogy of Faith, but to offer as a Key, and Clue in all theſe Diſputes theſe Five grand Principles.
1. The whole of our Salvation is from God, through God, by God, and ſo to God. From God in the Majeſty of the Father, through the Mediation of the Eternal Word, and Son of God by the Efficacy of the Eternal Spirit, to the Praiſe of the Glory of his Grace All in All. Thus the Divine Being is the Father of Lights with whom is no Variation or ſhadow of Turning, not only in his own Perfection, but always looking full on his Elect.
2. That the Manifeſtation of this Salvation by that mighty Power, and Efficacy of the Spirit, is in the due Times and Seaſons, and in the juſt order, really and effectually veſted in the Spirits of the Elect, and ſo joins their ſeveral Faculties, and ſo the Action and Converſation, according to all that is ſpoken of in Scripture.
3. That the Law is the irrepealable ſtandard of all, that Man himſelf is to do, whether imprinted on Man in the very Creation, or revealed further by God in any after Manifeſtation of his Will; which the Goſpel, as occaſion requires, takes into its own hand, and makes uſe of; and whatever is to be found in us according to the Goſpel, the Law lays its Sanctions upon it.
4. The Goſpel Commands nothing; if ſtrictly and properly taken; Requires nothing, Commands nothing, that yet it declares, muſt be in us in anſwer to it ſelf; nor that it declares, muſt, and ſhall be in us according to the Law; but it making uſe of the law, as to all the Commanding part; It ſelf gives, and conveys all, as being the Covenant of Grace, from the Father through Chriſt, the Son of the Father in Grace and Truth, by the Holy Spirit.
5. The Judgment of Chriſt is according to the Law, anſwered thus by the Goſpel, as the Covenant of Grace, in Relation to his own Elect Children, Members, and Servants; written in the Lambs Book of Life by the Fathers Election from the Foundation of the World; and in Relation to the Non-Elect: His Judgment is according to the law of Righteouſneſs, imprinted on the Hearts of Men; and according to that Law obliging, upon any Manifeſtations, or Intimations of the Goſpel revealed to them.
Whoever then keeps theſe great Principles as a Pole-ſtar in his Eye, ſhall find himſelf guided by them in all the various Diſputes of them; and not fall into either of thoſe great Errors the Apoſtle James warns us againſt, of ſaying; when we are Tempted, we are Tempted of God, who cannot be Tempted of Evil; neither Tempts any one; Nor the ſecond like to it, viz. Not to be ſenſible every good Gift, every degree of good, much more every perfect Gift is from Above, and does not riſe up, but comes down.
Therefore above all; the Aſſiſtances of the Divine Spirit guiding Us into all Truth, and bringing every thing into our Remembrance I moſt humbly beſeech for them, and for my ſelf, and therein beg the Prayers of All, who ſhall Read with any Approbation this ſhort Diſcuſſion of theſe Truths.
Books Sold by William Marſhall at the Bible in Newgate-ſtreet, Relating to this Controverſie, viz.
1. Mr. Beverley's Firſt Conciliatory Judgment, concerning Dr. Criſp's Sermons, and Mr. Baxter's Diſſatisfaction in them. Price ſticht 2 d.
2. Mr. Beverley's Second Conciliatory Diſcourſe upon Dr. Criſp's Sermons on the Obſervation of Mr. William's Diſſatisfaction in them. Price 6 d.
3. Samuel Criſp Eſq; his Book, Entituled, Chriſt alone Exalted, in Dr. Criſp's Sermons, partly confirmed in Anſwering Mr. Daniel William's Preface to his Goſpel Truth ſtated; How he hath wronged as well the Truth, as the ſaid Doctor, in the great Point of Juſtification, by the Neonomian Doctrin. Price 6 d.
4. Samuel Criſp Eſq; his other Book, Entituled, Chriſt made Sin, from 2 Cor. 5. 21. Evinc'd from Scripture, upon occaſion of an Exception taken at Pinners Hall, at Reprinting of Dr. T. Criſp's Sermons. Price ſticht 1 s. 6 d. bound 2 s.
5. There is lately Publiſhed, A plain Inquiry into Goſpel Truth, as ſtated and vindicated by Mr. Dan. Williams, eſpecially in Reference to the Doctrin of juſtification, and the nature of his Proceedings, with his Teſtimonies hereupon: By Thomas Edwards Eſq; Price ſtitcht 1 s.
6. You may be ſupplied with Dr. Chancey's Three Parts, lately Printed againſt Mr. Williams.
7. You may likewiſe be ſupplied with Dr. Criſp's Works.
8. Where is Sold Mr. Troughten's firſt and ſecond Parts of Juſtification, and Ca… on Job, in two large Volumes in Folio. Price Bound 40 s. And Poole's …n…ſis Cr…icorum, in two large Volumes. Bound 1 l. 10 s.