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CHAP. LV. How farre inherent qualifications, and actions of grace can prove we are in the state of grace.
ANtinomians make a hideous out-cry against signes and marks of our justification, because indeed they are enemies to sanctification.
For establishing soules (saith a Saltmarsh) upon any works of their owne, as away, meane, or ground of assurance, as that upon such a measure of repentance, or obedience, they may be∣leeve by; I dare not deale in any such way of our owne righ∣teousnesse, because I find no infallible marke in any thing of our owne sanctification, save in a lower way of perswasion or mo∣tive. — I find none in the Old or New Testament, but have cause to suspect their owne righteousnesse, as David, Peter, Paul. So the Libertines of New England, b Though a man can prove a gracious worke in himselfe, and Christ to bee the au∣thor of it, yet this is but a sand••e foundation. And c it is a fun∣damentall and soule-damning error, to make sanctification an evidence of justification. And d it were to light a candle to the Sunne: Yea, it darkeneth justification; the darker my san∣ctification is, the brighter is my justification. And I may know, I am Christs, not because I doe crucifie the lusts of the flesh, but because I doe not crucifie them, but beleeue in Christ that crucified them for me. So g D. Crispe, Cornewell, i Towne, teach; that love to the brethren, sincerity, &c. are marks, by which others may know us, rather then we our selves; So k Saltmarsh followeth Crispe.
We never said, that a naturall mans devotion, or his ba∣stard prayers, or wild-fire of blind zeale, can argue the tran∣slation of the man from death to life, as l Saltmarsh dream∣eth; or that wee labour to draw assurance of a good spiritu∣all estate from outward reformation; which saith m Towne, Protestant Legalists labour for, when the heart is naught. Antinomians say, that all our evidences are dung. True, they are not evidences of Legall perfect righteousnesse, more they prove not.