The True Bounds of Christian Freedom, To the reader
To the Chriſtian Reader.
THou art not I conceive ſuch a ſtranger to theſe times but thou knoweſt, that as God hath communicated many truths; ſo hath Satan ſought to vent many errors; Hereby labouring to prejudice and weaken the reception of the one, if hee could not prevaile to the entertainment of the other. Indeed it is his beſt ſeaſon for merchandizing, at ſuch a time he finds moſt Chapmen, and in the heat of the Market while men are buying truths, he may hope to put off ſome of his own wares; which that he may make more vendible, he will ſeeke to paſſe them under as honourable notions, and not ſtick to language them into your hearts under as ſpirituall conceptions, as truth it ſelfe. He hath a long time walked as a prince of darkneſſe, and becauſe he can deceive no longer in that ſhape, he now transformes himſelfe into an Angel of light. He went a long time bare-faced, and was ſucceſſefull; when he was diſcovered he put on a mask, under which he hath walked many generations. And that being taken off alſo, he now diſſembles the very viſage of truth: Of all errours, none are more ſeductive then ſuch which are handed to men under the notions of Free Grace, and none more deſtructive, they are poyſon in the heart, poyſon in the fountaine. I need not tell thee how many of this kinde have been vented, and entertained. For the reducing of thoſe who are carryed away, the eſtabliſhing of thoſe who ſtagger, and the building up of thoſe who are in ſome meaſure ſettled in the truth; this following Treatiſe being firſt preached (through the long and earneſt importunitie of many friends) is now Printed.
The ſubject Whereon this Diſcourſe is founded, Dr. Criſp in his Chriſt alone exalted: weth others.is the ſame which is made the foundation of theirs, which I choſe the rather, that it might be evidenced to all whoſe ſuper-ſtructure did moſt reſemble the foundation; the Diſcourſe it ſelfe is partly Doctrinall, wherein the received truth is laid down and confirmed; partly Controverſall, wherein the contrary Opinions are examined, and confuted.
Firſt I ſay examined, and we have given them a fair triall, being willing to heare the utmoſt they could ſay. This examination lyes in ſixe Queries. viz.
1. Query. Whether this be any part of our freedome by Chriſt to be freed from the Law.
2. Query. Whether this be any part of our freedome by Chriſt, to be free from all puniſhments or chaſtiſements for ſinne.
3. Query. Whether this may conſiſt with our Chriſtian freedome, to be tyed to doe dutie becauſe God hath commanded.
4. Query. Whether the free men of Chriſt, may not ſin themſelves into bondage again.
5. Query. Whether this may conſiſt with our Chriſtian freedome, to do duties with a reſpect to the recompence of reward.
6. Query. Whether this be part of our freedome by Chriſt, to be freed from obedience unto men.
Theſe are the maine inquiries, in which thou mayſt alſo read the contrary Doctrins which are now held forth by many, as plainly confuted, as friendly debated; In which Work my maine end hath been to convince the iudgement, not to irritate the affections, leſt while I ſought to be helpfull to grace, I might be ſerviceable to ſinne, and whilſt I indeavoured to cheriſh mens holineſſe, I ſhould but draw out mens corruptions, and ſo run in vaine. And therefore I have deſired to deale with things, more then perſons; and rather to diſcover errours by Arguments, then by names. And it is my earneſt deſire that what is here made obvious to thine eye, the God of truth would make evident to thy heart, and give unto thee and me ſound judgement, that we may be able to diſcerne of things that differ, guide us in the wayes of faith and obedience, inable us to ſerve him while we live, ſmile upon us when we die, and after death take us to himſelfe; which is the all I can deſire for my ſelfe, and the leaſt I will deſire for thee, who am
April 23. 1645. Thine in the ſervice of Chriſt to advance faith and obedience, SAMUEL BOLTON.