An End to Discord, Introduction · Chapter 4
CHAP. IV.
It's made evident, that this Declaration of our Brethren taken altogether, and examined with due Charity and Candor, ought to be acknowledged a sufficient Vindication of the Approvers thereof from all hurtful Antinomian Errors.
TO this end, 1. We think that Christian Charity and Candor oblige us to judg of what they have declared by these following Rules, and we expect the same for our selves from them. 1. That the omission of any Points unmentioned is not to be attributed to a mistaken Judgment concerning them, and far less when the things expressed are granted to be Truths or Errors upon a reason that alike infers what is omitted. 2. That the Approvers do truly intend for substance what is declared. 3. That in a Body of Subscribers some few may be more narrow in their Conceptions, and therefore to avoid a Breach, must be accommodated in the phrasing of some Points beyond what the others, if at full liberty, would either need or chuse. 4. If any thing be a little darkly or suspiciously worded in one part, and more expresly and fully in another, the latter must be the Index of their Judgment; upon which account we cite not only their State of Error and Truth, but refer to the Pages containing their Explications, and approved Authorities, some of which will be mentioned afterwards. 5. That they ought not to be charged with the Consequences of any occasional Passages which they disown.
2. These just Rules being admitted, we shall enumerate the hurtful Antinomian Errors, as Antinomianism is described in the last Age (which in many things differs from what was so called at first) and under each refer you to the places (besides the above-mentioned State of Error and Truth) wherein the Brethren have so laudably vindicated themselves by their Declaration.
The dangerous Parts of Antinomianism are reducible to these general Heads. 1. As it renders the Ministry unapt to its proper Ends. 2. As it tends to Libertinism in Practice. 3. As it hinders a well-grounded Assurance, and encourageth Presumption. 4. As it reproacheth Christ our blessed Redeemer. Against each of which our Brethren bear their Testimony.
1. The hurtful Antinomian Errors which render the Ministry unapt to its proper Ends, are, 1. Unduly limiting the Offers of Salvation, and decrying Arguments to excite Sinners to use their Endeavours under the Assistance of Gospel Means and common Grace. Against this see Error 10. and from p. 41 to 47. 2. Forbidding and branding as legal the preaching of Duties and Threatnings, and the applying of promised Benefits as Motives to Faith and other Duties, whereto those Benefits are promised. Against which see Error 9. and p. 36, 39. Error 6. and p. 25, 26, 45. 3. Denying that the Elect whilst unconverted, are under the Curse of the Law, and affirming they are united to Christ, and justified before God, and pardoned whilst impenitent Infidels. Against which see Errors 1, 2, 11. and p. 12 to 18. and 47, 58.
2. The hurtful Antinomian Errors tending to Libertinism in Practice, besides the Impediments to a Sinner's Conviction and Conversion under the fore-mentioned Head of the Ministry, are such as these: 1. That God seeth no Sin in his People, accounts them not their Sins but Christ's, and is not displeased with his People, nor afflicts them for their Sins. Against which see Error 3. and p. 19. 2. That Repentance is not necessary to Forgiveness, nor are Believers to mourn for Sin, or to beg Pardon, nor to confess it, unless it be to shew, for Christ's Glory, how many the Sins are which are become his. Against which see Error 4. and p. 19, 20, 21, 47, 58. 3. That their Sins can do Believers no hurt. Against this see Error 5. p. 22, 23. 4. That we ought not to intend our own Benefits by our Duties, neither are bound to perform Duties unless excited thereto by the Spirit, nor are any Acts of our Obedience rewardable; and that continued Repentance and Holiness are not by the Constitution of the Gospel necessary to our being possessed of Eternal Life. Against this see Errors 6, 10, 11. and p. 25, 26, 27, 47, 58, 59. 5. That justifying Faith is a Perswasion that Christ is mine, and that my Sins are pardoned in Christ. Against this see Error 8. and p. 30, 31.
3. The hurtful Antinomian Error which hinders a well-grounded Assurance and Peace, and also encourages Presumption, is, that besides the last description of Faith, we are not to try our State by marks and signs of Sanctification. Against this see Error 8. and p. 32, 33, 34.
4. The hurtful Antinomian Errors reproachful to Christ our Redeemer are such as these, that Christ is as sinful as we, and we are as righteous as Christ. Against which see Error 11. p. 48, 57.
If the Reader consult these places, and compare them with our State of Truth and Error in the first Chapter, he cannot but rejoice in our Brethrens Agreement with us in a Testimony against Antinomianism.