Defense of the Gospel Truth, Part 2
I shall now shew thee what our Calvinists and Orthodox Divines oppose the Arminians in, as to this Doctrine of Justification.
The Synod of Dort. in their Canons, Part 1. p. 289. of the Errors under theArminian Iustification, as our Divines state it. Head De Morte Christi, thus condemn the Arminians; Qui docent foedus illud novum gratiae, &c. That teach, that the Covenant of Grace which the Father, upon the intervention of Christ's Death, made with Men, doth not consist in that, viz. That we are justified before God, and saved by Faith, as it apprehends the Merit of Christ, but in this, that the Demand of perfect legal Righteousness being abrogated, God accounts▪ Faith it self, and the imperfect Obedience of Faith, for (or instead of) the perfect Obedience of the Law, and graciously judgeth this worthy of the Reward of Eternal Life. Which they justly brand as the Socinian Notion.
Reader, I declare against this Error, and have affirmed, that Faith alone receives Christ and his Merits. 2. That it's the Righteousness of Christ alone which is the Meritorious or Material Cause of Justification. 3. That our Faith, Repentance, or Works are not a jot of the material or meritorious Righteousness by or for which we are Justified.
They say, Christ died that we might be saved if we believe. I say, Christ died that the Elect should believe, and believing, have Life through his Name.
To any one that knows the five Points wherein the Arminian Controversie consists, I have said enough fully to acquit me. I am positive, for absolute certain Election, for Christ's not dying alike for all: For the Elect he died to secure their actual Reconciliation; for others his Death is sufficient, and real Offers of Salvation are made to them, on the Terms of the Gospel, notwithstanding their being condemned by the Law. Again I say, Man is corrupt, and without the Grace of God he cannot believe: All the Elect shall be (though without violence) brought by efficacious Grace to believe, and finally persevere. All which I oft assert in my Book.