A vindication of the doctrine of justification and union before faith wherein the great truth of the grace of Our Lord Jesus in his representing the person of his elect on the cross, of his suffering for them as their representative is asserted and cleared, and the eternal justification and union of the Lord's chosen people is plainly stated and proved : also the assurance of faith is evidently confirmed : with a clear demonstraction how these precious Gospel truths do promote holiness and sanctification in the hearts and conversations of true believers / by R. Davis.

To the READER.

AS there is nothing of greater importance, than those great Truths of the Eternal Justifi∣cation and Ʋnion of the Elect, by and with the Lord Jesus; as it hath its Founda∣tion and Being in the Eve••lasting Sovereign good Pleasure of the Holy God; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was managed in that Eternal Covenant, or Counsel of Peace between the Fath••r and his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 begotten Son; whose goings forth were of Old, and from Everlasting; wherein the won∣••ful Grace of our God doth so marvellously appear to the Praise of his Glorious Name. And ••eby the Comfort of our Souls is established, and through which we are powerfully influen∣••, by the Efficacy of the Spirit of Christ unto Purity and Holiness; and engaged and enabled ••gh the constraining Power of Divine Love, therein shining, to yield according to the mea∣•• of Light and Assistance, afforded universal and sincere Obedience. So it is that which ••d implacable Enemy of our Salvation, endeavours by all his Policy, Craft, and Subtilty ••f his inveterate Malice, either to deny or perv••rt, either by fomenting of such false erroni∣•• Principles, as may draw Souls off from believing its sacred Verity. Or by obscuring it by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mistaken Notions as may darken the Evidence of it. Or lastly, by raising up Prejudi∣•• ••gainst it, partly by some strange Consequences as shall be unjustly drawn from it, or seem∣•• gross Absurdities, that by a misrepresenting of it shall be cast upon it, as if it were incon∣•• with Piety and Purity. And lastly, by caluminiating or reproaching those that by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of God are in a measure enabled to own it, and declare it. Whereby, well meaning Per∣••, who are inquiring after Truth may stumble at it, or be offended with it. Ʋnto the Pro∣••tion of which he doth not want instruments, even amongst those who would be reckoned a∣•• the chiefest of them, who profess and Preach the Gospel. An Example whereof we have •…•…gst others, in him, who is the Author and Publisher of the Preface or Introduction to Mr. ••eman's Narrative against the Church Assembling at Kilby, at whose Instigation it was ••ed, whereby that Breach which otherwise was likely in time to be healed, is thereby made ••rable and incurable. That Church being thereby necessitated to Publish an Answer to it. That •…•…cer by that, and several such evil Practises, that may rather be lamented, than rehear∣••, is evidently thereby manifested to be such a one, that soweth or promoteth Discord among ••ren; which is one of the Things, which our God hates, Prov. 6.16,19. Who by the ••se of his Conversation in too many Instances, seems to some to be evidently such a one as •…•…es that Character, 2 Tim. 3.5. For which the Lord give him true Repentance.

This Prefacer to give vent to that causless, if not malicious Envy that was in his Heart, •…•…es some exorbitant and very offensive Expressions of one David Culy. Although those ••ressions were detected and openly testified against by the worthy Author of this Treatise, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be would insinuate; as if he were the Favourer or the Abetter of him in uttering that ••sive Language; or as if it were to be deduced from his Doctrine. Yea, though the said ••id Culy, hath openly retracted or repented of those Exorbitancies, should any take an occa∣•• against that Prefacer to Report and Publish the several Exorbitant Words and Practises, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 have been spoken or done by him; he might peradventure be found but little inferiour, if equal in some respect to David Culy. But what can be expected from him, who could so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 borridly, falsly, accuse in Print those Churches as to their Principles and Practise in their beginning, with that which they professed the contrary unto in their Profession of Faith, pub∣•…•…d to all the World; even those very Churches, to whom he himself doth own himself related ••uccession: Had his Repentance been right, he would have owned his Shame in every printed

Book that he hath publish'd since to the World, with his Iniquity in drawing in (so many w•…•… meaning Persons to recommend his Book) without due Examination. They certainly not sup¦posing they had to do with a Person that was so false and daring; in like manner for him to •…•…¦flect upon, and to nibble at the sound Positions of those famous Worthies, Dr. Twiss and M•…•… Eyre's, &c. about the Eternal Justification of the Elect, which they have proved by weigh•…•… Arguments, without answering of those Arguments, was such a Presumption, that none th•…•… seriously enquire after Truth would have dared to be found guilty of.

But it pleaseth our most gracious God and Saviour to bring Good out of Evil, to make th•…•… which was done for the hindrance of Truth, to be for the furtherance of it; by the occasio•…•… that is thereby taken through the Assistance of the Holy Spirit, to confirm that Truth that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Contradicted and reproached.

Whereof we have an Instance in the ensuing Treatise, whereby, and on the occasion of t•…•… Gainsaying and Reproaching of the Prefacer, we have those precious Truths of our dear Lo•…•… Jesus mentioned in the Title Page, plainly declared, and solidly confirmed, and with mee••¦ness, vindicated with successful evidence from the Opposition made by that quarrel some and co••¦tentious Prefacer. So that if he for time to come, shall go on to calumniate or cavil at the•…•… great Gospel Truths; it will certainly shew him to have a Conscience scared, as with an b•…•… Iron.

We wish indeed some Words in the Treatise, had been uttered in a plainer Dialect or Languag•…•… for the understanding of the meanest. However we do not Question, but the unlearned m•…•… receive Information and Instruction by it as well as others.

Therefore, that the Pious Worthy Author, may be more abundantly inlightned, and confirm¦ed in these glorious Truths of the Grace of the Gospel. That with all boldness he may be enabl•…•… to declare them. And that he may be instructed into the right Way of all the Institutions 〈◊〉〈◊〉 our Lord and Saviour; that he make not use of a Stone of Babylon, for a Corner, or for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Foundation in any respect.

And that this Treatise of his, may be Blessed unto the Benefit and Advantage of the Lor••▪ dear People; is the earnest Desire and Request

Of

• R. S.
• J. N.