Charity commended, or, A catholick Christian soberly instructed by J.C.

Sect. 57. (Book 53)

It hath been the phancy of not a few, that Christ came to fulfill the Law, and no∣thing hath been reserv'd for Christian duty but a Crede, and in via salutis ambulas,

a magicall Faith may oblige Heaven, and produce no lesse then miracles.

Christs Law is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 if we may believe the Fathers a new disci∣pline,* 1.1 a spiritual Law accomplishing, exten∣ding & painting to the life the sciagraphy, or imperfect draught of Mosaical perfection, that forbids the fires of illegall concu∣piscences, this to fly even the very smoak by avoiding the occasion: that inhibits the ablation of our brothers blood, this the commotions of our own: the strictest of judaical observance or phylacter'd Roma∣nists, who fringe Christian Religion with ceremonies, may be silenc'd with an except your righteousnes exceed that of the Pha••••sees, You cannot, enter into the King∣dom of Heaven.

Those which who say, Christ hath fulfilled the Law, and think that the cry∣ing a Lord, Lord, may intitle them to Heaven; may be dismis'd with I know you not; if they will not cover their bro∣thers nakednesse, cloth their imperfections▪ give an Alms as well of their knowledge as fortunes, can break a commandement, or teach others to break; though they give up their names to factions: May misse their

names in the book of life. Christ hath not done so much that wee need do nothing: There is a treasury in the Church to de••ray humble and penitent sinners; but not to cast away upon Prodigalls: whatsoever the Keys of the Church are of, this I am confident; every man hath the power of binding and loofing, sins bind, and repen∣tance looses; yet though every Christian is intrusted with the keies Christ must be the Door, through which they must enter into salvation: they must unload themselves of iniquity, and knock by a spirituall fer∣vency before they enter the narrow gate, (Peters Keyes without this) and the con∣fidence of a Lord, Lord, encounter with a discedite, nescio vos: and meet with the punishment of the idle servant while they hide their Talent and accuse their master of hardnesse; weak and unstable souls, who wrest the Scriptures to their own damnati∣on, that I do not speak in the person of a Carnall man by Saint Paul, must be ten∣tred to a Saint Paul; could not that they have Saint Patro•• to impiety, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 if to live according to nature is the part of one that hath not believ'd not to arive so high is below a Pagan.* 1.2

Notes

• * 1.1

  Loz. lib. 2. Macar. l. 37. p. 442.
• * 1.2

  Iustin.