The Doctrine of Justification by Faith, Title page – To the reader
The Orthodox Doctrine CONCERNING Iustification by Faith Asserted and Vindicated: WHEREIN The Book of Mr. William Eyre, one of the Ministers of New Sarum, is examined: AND ALSO The Doctrine of Mr. Baxter concerning Justification is discussed.
WRITTEN By John Eedes, Minister of the Gospel.
ROM. 3. 24, 25.
Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his bloud.
Non opus est lege, quando impius per solam fidem justificatur.
LONDON, Printed for Henry Cripps and Lodowick Lloyd, and are to be sold at their shop in Popes-Head Alley. 1654.
The Contents of this ensuing Treatise.
CHAP. 1. The Question is stated.
CHAP. 2. Iustification is not an imma…ent or an eternall act of God.
CHAP. 3. Faith in the point is not to be taken objectively, but subjectively,
CHAP. 4. We are not justified ever since Christ rose.
CHAP. 5. The arguments of Mr. Woodbridge are vindicated.
CHAP. 6. And Mr. Eyres objections are examined whereby he seekes to
CHAP. 7. Prove that we are justified before faith.
CHAP. 8. Mr. Baxters doctrine concerning our Evangelicall righteousness, and justification by works is examined.
TO THE Right VVorshipful, his much honoured Friend, Edward Dodington, Esquire.
SIR,
THough so small a piece as this scarce dares presume to crave your Patronage, yet such is your noble d…sposition, that you will accept of the good will of him, who is ready to serve you on a greater occasion: Because I have written another Treatise concerning just fication, I have in this been as brief as I might. If I find this to prove as profitable to the Church as I wish, it will incourage me to publish many other things, both practical and polemical, which I have in readinesse for the Presse. In the mean time I shall study to serve the Church in what I may, and with my prayers for your soules eternall happinesse, I rest
Your Worships to serve you in the Lord, John Eedes.
To my Christian Brethren of the English Nation.
Deare Country-men,
GOD of rich mercy hath sent among us his saving truth, and we foolishly waxe wanton against him, in a manner all the truths of the Christian Religion are undermined, and while some go about to correct a former error, they fall into another. The doctrine concerning justification hath been soundly taught by the Protectants; the Papists, Arminians, and now those that cry up free Grace, have opposed that truth, and while Mr. Baxter doth oppose these Antinomians, as they are called, he falls himselfe into another error that may prove of dangerous consequence. Mr. Woodbridge in the heat of disputation denies that faith doth evidence: our justification, yet I conceive, if you take him out of that heat, …he will be of another mind: let no man blame me for forestalling Mr. Woodbridge, in the defence of Gods truth, every one is concerned, and we are to seeke his glory, and not our owne: I have abstained from quotations, because the book should not swell too much. I have omitted nothing of force or moment, I love those best that in few words speak to the purpose; it was in me endeavour to do so in this. I begin with the state of the question, that is most fit, and I direct an intelligent Reader so far that he may see how I follow Mr. Eyre in his book. I am sorry that he is mistaken in the point: though I had dealt against others in the point before, yet I the more willingly examined his Book, because there is more method, and acuteness in him then in the rest. I have abstain'd from hot words, a calme defence of the truth hath the most glorious victorie. I beseech you by the tender mercies of God to embrace the truth and so follow it as to attaine salvation, and so I rest,
Yours to serve you in the Ministery of the Gospel, John Eedes.