J. Church

“ If it can be proved, that this Article has a grain of Antinomianism in it, I ask, are not these the practical truths of the gospel, which we, as Believers, are to obey, as a proof we are passed from death unto life, and are brought to serve the Lord, in newness of Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter; not working for life, but from a principle of life received, as being not without law to God, but under the laws of our present Husband, Christ. The moral law being fulfilled in our stead, we are by faith enabled to serve him, who has done so great things for us. ”

“ Whereas, the above Calls to Sinners, form no part of that counsel. God does not condemn Men because he has been pleased to withold that precious gift of faith from them: there is sin enough in all Men, to render them obnoxious to the curse of the law: and the Saviour himself says, “Think not, that I will accuse you to the Father; there is one that accuseth you already, even, Moses, in whom ye trust.” To command all Men, where the gospel comes, to obey the internal call of it, is not my work: but, to tell People, it is their duty to be found in the means, is another thing. ”

“ God having out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a Covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer. A vast many passages of scripture can easily be brought to prove this important Article; and, happy for those, who have got the sweet evidence of God’s Spirit, witnessing their adoption into his family. ”

“ VII. I believe, that all Mankind are conceived and born in sin, Children of disobedience, enemies to God, violaters of his commands, averse to good, prone to evil, Children of wrath, obnoxious to the justice of God, and the condemnation of his law: and I believe, that no Creature can help or deliver himself, out of that wretched state into which he has fallen. ”

“ Wherefore, they which be endued with so excellent a benefit of God, be called according to God’s purpose by his Spirit working in due season; they through grace obey the calling; they be justified freely: they be made sons of God by adoption: they be made like the image of his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ: they walk religiously in good works, and at length, by God’s mercy, they attain to everlasting felicity.”—This is the noble testimony of our Reformers, as agreed and subscribed to by every conscientious Churchman ”

“ This doctrine is clearly revealed in the Scriptures, embraced by our Reformers, as set forth in the 17th Article of the Church of England, and in the Westminster Confession of Faith. The Seventeenth Article of the Church, thus expresseth this doctrine:—“Predestination to Life, is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby (before the foundations of the world were laid) he hath constantly decreed by his counsel, secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation, as vessels made to honour. ”

“ All that are cleaving to this law, as a covenant of works, are enemies to the Lord Jesus Christ; and, all that die under it, must be judged by it. Now, because I hold forth the grand doctrines of the gospel, and enforce a knowledge of this law, by the teachings of the Spirit of God, that Sinners may be brought to see their need of a Mediator, and a Surety righteousness ”