we being fallen into thofe times, wherein, under great contefts about opinions and practices in religion, there is a horrible decay of true gofpel purity, and holiness of life, I fhall readily grant that, retaining a due regard to the only ftandard of truth, a fecondary trial of doctrines may, and ought to be made, by the walk and converfation of those who receive and profefs them. And though we admit, that the doctrine we maintain is liable to abuse, as is the whole doctrine of the grace of God; and though the way and means of its influence into univerfal obedience, be not difcernible without fome beams of fpiritual light; yet, if it cannot preferve its ftation in the Church by this rule, of its useful tendency to the promotion of godliness, I fhall be content that it be exploded. Every thing else, which I conceive to be neceffary to the right underftanding and due improvement of the truth pleaded, for, will be comprised in the following General Confiderations. MAY 30, 1677. J. O. CON CONTENTS. G INTRODUCTION, OR, ENERAL confiderations, previously neceffary to the explanation of the doctrine of Juftification page 1-28. 1. What is the proper relief of the confcience of a finner, burdened with the guilt of fin 2. A due confideration of HIM, with whom we have to do, in this matter 2-6. 3. A clear apprehenfion, and due fenfe, of the greatnefs of our apoftafy from God; the depravity of our nature; the power and guilt of fin, &c. 6. 4. The oppofition which the Scripture makes between grace and works 8-14. 5. The commutation between Christ and believers, as to fin and righteoufnefs, as represented in the Scripture 14-16. 6. The introduction of grace, by Jefus Chrift, into the whole of our relation to God 7. General prejudices, against the imputation of the righteoufnefs of Chrift, noticed 17-21. 21-25. 8. The weight that was laid on this doctrine, at the Reformation, and the influence which it had on the whole of that great work 25-28. СНАР. CHAP. I. Juftifying faith; the caufes, object, and nature of it 29-42. CHAP. II. The nature of juftifying faith, more particularly confidered CHAP. III. 42-49 The use of faith in Juftification; in what fenfe it is the inftrument of it CHAP. IV. 49-53 The fignification of the words, Juftification, and, to juftify, in the original languages CHAP. V. 53-58. The diftinction of a first and second Juftification, examined-The continuation of Juftification; on what it depends CHAP. VI. 58-67. Evangelical, perfonal righteoufnefs, confidered-Sentential Juftification, or final judgment, and its refpect to Juftification CHAP. VII. 67-72. Imputation, the nature of it; with the imputation of the righteoufnefs of Chrift in particular CHAP. VIII. 72-80. Imputation of the fins of the church unto Chrift. The grounds of it. The nature of his furetifhip. Caufes of the new covenant. Chrift and the church one myftical perfon. Confequences thereof CHAP. IX.. 81-90. The formal caufe of Juftification. Various objections anfwered 91-99 CHAP. X. Arguments for Juftification, by the imputation of the CHAP. XI. Argument the second, from the nature of that obedi- CHAP. XII. The eternal obli- 107-113. The fame argument continued; and the neceffity of CHAP. XIII. 114-127. The third argument, taken from the difference between CHAP. XIV. 127. The fourth argument, from the exprefs exclufion of all CHAP. XV. 129-136. The righteousness of Chrift, imputed to us, is received CHAP. XVI. The doctrine, further confirmed by teftimonies of Scrip- Teftimonies from the Evangelifts confidered. Matt. v. Luke The nature of Juftification, as declared in the Epiftles CHAP. XIX. 150--158. Teftimonies from the Epiftle to the Ephefians, &c. Chap. ii. 2, 8, 9, 10. Philippians iii. 8, 9. CHAP. XXII. 177-182. 182-185. Objections against the doctrine, confidered. Perfonal by it CHAP. XXIII. 186. The doctrine of the Apoftle James concerning faith and 194-205- |