The reviler rebuked: or, A re-inforcement of the charge against the Quakers, (so called) for their contradictions to the Scriptures of God, and to their own scriblings,: which Richard Farnworth attempted to answer in his pretended Vindication of the Scriptures; but is farther discovered, with his fellow-contradictors and revilers, and their doctrine, to be anti-Scriptural, anti-Christian, and anti-spiritual. By John Stalham, a servant of the great bishop and shepherd of souls, appointed to watch his little flock at Terling in Essex.

Section 23.

HEre I noted what I had from them in discourse; That in Justification, all guilt is not only taken away, but all* 1.1 filth of sin: Then could there no filth remain upon the Saints performances, as there doth by their confession in Scripture, Isaiah 64. 6. We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. The defilements of sin in its presence remain, when the defilement of sin in respect of guilt is taken away. R. F. saith nothing to this Section, unless it be answer sufficient to revile and say, [Sin thou art pleading for,] while I produced the Saints and ju∣stified persons confession of sin, and hinted a difference be∣tween Justification and Sanctification, which these men (as* 1.2 if they would profess themselves members of the man of sin) do confound, mistaking one thing for another. If Saints confess their sin, cleaving to their holiest reformations, they plead against sin, not for it: To say we have sin in us, is to plead against the Lye of dreamers, who think themselves perfectly free from the remnants of filth. But to awaken them, let R. F. and others of his perswasion (before they drink deeper into Babylons cup of fornications) perpend, and conscionably weigh these differences between a Belie∣vers Justification and Sanctification.

[unspec 1] 1. The matter of our Justification is Christs obedience,* 1.3 inherent in himself, and absolutely perfect, admitting of no degrees: the matter of our Sanctification is wrought with∣in us, imperfect as to degrees, and admits of wanes and in∣creases. The very faith whereby we receive pardon, is but as a grain of mustard-seed at first, it admits of degrees; but the object apprehended, Christ, and his righteousness is al∣ways the same; and as much of Christs obedience (even all) is given to every Believer, to the weak as to the strong; and hence it is they are once and together perfected in Justifica∣tion, before they have all or half the measures of Sanctifi∣cation, which the Lord will give them in his time. Let Francis Howgil put off no such counterfeit ware to Christs disciples and Church-members, for it will not be received; viz. * 1.4 That is not true faith which is imperfect. And again, The righteousness wrought in the Saints, is, as it was the righteousness of Faith.

[unspec 2] 2. The form, maner, and way of our Justification is by Gods free act of imputation, reckoning, and account of Christs obedience to us: the form of our Sanctification is by infusion of holiness, by the Spirit of holiness, from Christs fulness into our empty hearts.

[unspec 3] 3. Justification causeth a relative change, or it makes a change of relation: Sanctification worketh in us a change of qualities, by the creation of the new divine nature, and mortifying of our old corrupt nature.

[unspec 4] 4. The parts of our Justification are Gods not imputing of sin, through his imputing of Christs sufferings, and his accepting of our persons as righteous, by his imputing of Christs active obedience: the parts of our Sanctification, are vivification, or the creating, quickning, and begetting new divine qualities (resembling Gods nature) and mortification of the old sinful dispositions and seeds of sin.

[unspec 5] 5. The contrary to Justification is guilt and condemna∣tion, wholly taken away; Francis Howgil * 1.5 either heard some unsound Teachers, or mis-relates them; as giving it out for Doctrine, That sin was taken away by Christ, but the guilt should still remain while he lived, &c. Or, whom doth he expostulate with, in these words, Page 28. What

Christ is this you preach? What Gospel is this you preach, which saves you not from guilt and condemnation? For surely Christs blood and obedience reckoned to the believer, doth this to purpose and effectually, at present, and for ever. The contrary to Sanctification, is in-bred pollution and filth of sin, which by Christs power is destroyed, as to the re∣gency; and hereafter to be removed at our death, as to the residence. Hence, Justification is Gods gracious and just sentence, pronouncing us righteous, and entitling to life; as Condemnation is his charging of guilt, and vindictive punishment accordingly: Sanctification is Gods special grace shed abroad in the heart, called the first-fruits of the Spirit.

[unspec 6] 6. In our Justification, Christs obedience stands onely upon account, and all our most sanctified works and righte∣ousnesses, stand by as cyphers; and are to be esteemed as loss and dung. Take Sanctification by it self, it is of great excellency and use: A good work done in faith by a person justified, is better then all the glorious deeds of Pharisees and Hypocrites; but bring it, and all that all Saints can bring together, before the tribunal of Gods strict Law and Justice, for their justification in that Court, and they and their works will be damned to hell, for their inherent and adherent imperfections.

[unspec 7] 7. In our Justification we have that perfect righteousness in Christ, which, as it is his, is the cause and merit of our salvation; and that gives a just right and title to the king∣dom: In our Sanctification, we have the cognizance and badge of such as shall be saved, and inherit the kingdom. The former is the Ground why, the latter, the Evidence whereby we know we have the kingdom.

[unspec 8] 8. In Justification we are meer Patients all along, through the righteousness put upon us, by Gods pure act and ac∣count: In Sanctification we are after-agents, i. e. after the first infusion of the Spirits new-born qualities, being acted, we act in the strength of Jesus Christ. Although too ma∣ny be willingly ignorant of these, and such like distinctions, yet they are necessarily useful to deliver people from na∣tural Popery, and artificial Babylonish Confusion, in and

about this great fundamental Truth, of a Believing-sinners Justification.

Notes

• * 1.1

  All filth not removed, where all guilt is pardoned.
• * 1.2

  Sin confessed is not pleaded for.
• * 1.3

  Section 23. Distinguish∣ing notes be∣tween Justi∣fication and Sanctification.
• * 1.4

  The inheri∣tance of Jacob pag. 24. 25.
• * 1.5

  The inheri∣tance of Jacob pag. 8.