Salvation from sinne by Jesus Christ: or, The doctrine of sanctification (which is the greater part of our salvation) founded upon Christ,: who is both the meritorious, and and efficient cause of sanctifying grace, purchasing it for, working & perfecting it in his people. Applied (as it was specially intended) for the better information of our judgements, and quickning of our affections in holiness, wherein our everlasting our everlasting happiness chiefly consisteth. / Preached in the weekly lecture at Evesham in the county of Worcester, by George Hopkins, M.A. minister of the Gospel there.

The AUTHOR to the READER.

Christian Reader,

IT is generally and truly observed, That Civil warres are far worse than with a Forraigne nation: for they are more vio∣lent, and more destructive; which party soever prevailes the Publique is a loser, and such victories leave small cause for triumph. Sad experience in this nation tells us, that there have been more despe∣rate military ingagements in those few yeares of our late warres, than have been in twice the time between other warring nations. And how destructive they have been both to persons and estates, the sensible Countrey will pathetically tell any man, if he need information. Oh how many gallant English Champions slain! how many fair Buildings burnt pulled downe, and vast Estates ruined! And where is the man

almost (if he had an estate before) that is not a great loser? But there is another Civil Warre that is yet remaining, of more dangerous consequence (although the mul∣titude are not as sensible of it, as of the for∣mer) and that is the discord, that is even among brethren in spirituall matters, who yet agree in the fundamentals of the Faith. This Warre, as it hath the like violence, so is it more destructive in the Church, than that hath been in the Common∣wealth. How many poore soules have been destroyed, and Churches ruined! and what Christian almost (if he will but faithfully cast up his account) but hath been a great loser by it in his spirituall estate! How sad is it to see Protestants, not onely of the same Nation, but of for∣mer intimate and indeared acquaintance, write more bitterly one against another, than an ingenious Protestant would doe against a Papist! He that doth but read our modern English controversies, will finde among many of them (I dare not say all) such personall aspersions and reflexi∣ons, criminations and recriminations, false charges, and foule mis-interpreting of one anothers writings, that a third person, who expects to read somewhat of the Question controverted, findes so much written ad∣hominem,

that there is but little ad rem I am sorry to see how much gall many god∣ly men put in their ink. A man would be also ashamed to see, how some that op∣pose other mens writings, do so farre wrest their words from their meanings; yea, go so far wide both of words and meanings, that it must be either through notorious wilfulnesse, or ignorance, that they so mis∣report them; if through wilfulnesse, how great is their sin! if through ignorance, how unfit are they to write Controversies! How sad is it, that some of good abilities, spend most of their time, they can well spare (and more too) from their necessary work of the Ministry, in studying, and writing some small Controversie (in comparison of many more weighty Truths) and thus im∣ploy their talents for many yeares, in the best of their age, in which time they might have done the Church of God good service, by some more profitable Tractates. Had they bent that force against the Kingdome of Satan, and Antichrist, which they have done against their Brethren, to the rending of the Church; their labour had been worth the owning, which now grieves them, be∣cause they see it so much slighted. Well may I say in this, what was ill spoken in another case, Quorsum perditio haec?

Why is this wast? Wast of time, wast of tae∣lent, to the wasting of each others reputati∣ons; yea to the wasting (I fear) of most pre∣ious grace in the Antagonists themselves, & which is worst of all, to the wasting of the Church. Our Saviour tells us, A King∣dome divided cannot stand. And, had not our late Wars (through Gods mercy) soon ended, we should have seen (those of us that had survived) the saying sadly fulfil∣led in our selves. But how dolefull a sight is it to see the Visible Kingdome of Christ himself, in this Nation, so miserably divi∣ded: and though the war of Field, and Garrison, be ended; yet the war of Presse, and Pulpit, is as hot as ever. Alas! that in this sense we so truly deserve to be called the Church Militant! And I have little hopes to see it ended whilst I live. And if it proceed as hotly, and destructively, as it hath done hitherto (which we have rea∣son to feare) judge what Church-desolation is like to be before this age be expired. This sore evil is both our great sin, and heavy judgement. And for thi••, and by this, justly may the Kingdome of God be taken from us, & given to a Nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. O that God would both pardon, and remove this devouring evil, and create peace in the hearts, and Churches of

his Saints! Then should I hope to see ho∣linesse in a thriving condition; in the midst of contention it must needs be languishing. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion, and every evil work, Jam. 3.16. And 'tis not without cause, that peace and holinesse are linked together, Heb. 12.14.

Reader, thou wilt find in this small piece little of Controversie; but something of the mysterie of godlinesse, which (I hope) is without Controversie with thee. The Antinomian and Libertine (which are scarcely two, but rather one) are the chie∣fest Adversaries that I oppose, which every Minister of the Gospel must do, that will preach practicall Divinity. Yea, which every man must really confute, that will be a serious Christian: and if thou art such a one thy self (though but of small gifts) it is probable thou hast (besides thy Bible) di∣vers better Treatises than this, written by some such men, as Preston, Sibbs, Bolton, Ball, &c. which I shall not desire thee to lay aside, for the reading of this. But if thou hast spare time to reade variety, thou hadst better read this, than many of the swarming Pamphlets, that flie abroad in these times. Thou wilt find cause enough (I am confident) to approve the subject, al∣though (if thou art judicious) thou maist

have reason to blame me for handling it no better. Here are (I hope) but few 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 things hard to be understood: for 'tis my usuall course in preaching, to run (with Ahimaaz) the way of the plain; that so I may the sooner bring good tidings to the soule. Such as it is, I leave it to thy candid perusall at thy leisure. It was first prea∣ched to the people of my own Charge, and since published specially for their sakes: And now, that others also may reap some spirituall advantage by it, is the unfeigned desire, and earnest prayer of

Thy Servant, and Fellow-servant, in the Work of our Lord, Geo: Hopkins.

Notes

• 1 Tim. 3.16.