Mr. Anthony Wotton's defence against Mr. George Walker's charge, accusing him of Socinian heresie and blasphemie written by him in his life-time, and given in at an hearing by Mr. Walker procured ; and now published out of his own papers by Samuel Wotton his sonne ; together with a preface and postcript, briefly relating the occasion and issue thereof, by Thomas Gataker ... Wotton, Anthony, 1561?-1626. 1641 Approx. 87 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 33 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A67122 Wing W3643 ESTC R39190 18253003 ocm 18253003 107259 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A67122) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 107259) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1138:22) Mr. Anthony Wotton's defence against Mr. George Walker's charge, accusing him of Socinian heresie and blasphemie written by him in his life-time, and given in at an hearing by Mr. Walker procured ; and now published out of his own papers by Samuel Wotton his sonne ; together with a preface and postcript, briefly relating the occasion and issue thereof, by Thomas Gataker ... Wotton, Anthony, 1561?-1626. Wotton, Samuel. Gataker, Thomas, 1574-1654. [2], 62 p. Printed by Roger Daniel ..., Cambridge (England) : 1641. Imperfect: cropped and tightly bound. Reproduction of original in the Union Theological Seminary Library Includes bibliographic references. 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Heresies, Christian -- England. 2005-10 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-01 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-04 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2006-04 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Mr. Anthony Wotton's DEFENCE Against Mr. George Walker's CHARGE , Accusing him of Socinian Heresie and Blasphemie : Written by him in his life-time , and given in at an hearing by M r WALKER procured ; And now published out of his own papers by SAMUEL WOTTON his Sonne . Together with a Preface and Postscript , briefly relating the Occasion and Issue thereof , By THOMAS GATAKER , an eye and eare-witnesse of either . Hieronym . adv . Errores Joan. Hierosol . Nolo in suspicione haereseωs quenquam esse patientem . CAMBRIDGE , Printed by Roger Daniel , Printer to the University . Anno Dom. 1641. The Preface . IT hath ever been and is generally held a breach , not of Charity alone , but even of * Piety too , to insult over and trample upon persons deceased : which if in any sort of men doth well deserve such a censure , surely among Christian men especially it may justly be so deemed for any in that manner to deal with their Christian brethren , such as have lived and died in the profession of the same common Faith in Christ , and in the fellowship of the same Church of God with themselves . Not that it is presumed an act unwarrantable or uncharitable to refute any errour that such have broched while they lived , or to remove any scruple that thereby may remain in the minds of those that yet survive : For * a fond thing were it , not to offer to pull out the shaft sticking yet in the body , or not to seek to close up the wound by it made in the flesh , because the party were gone and had withdrawn himself who had shot the one , and thereby caused the other . Free it is at all times to defend necessary truths , whether the Authours and Patrons of them survive yet or be deceased : but to insult and triumph over any , when they are now dead and departed from us , as if we had convinced and conquered them while they were yet alive with us , when as indeed we have done nothing lesse ; yea , to renew aspersions and imputations of the most heinous and horrible guilt that can be against them long after their decease , when we suppose the memory of things so long before past and gone may be worn out with the most , and buried with the greater number of those that were privy to what was then done , recharging them in most vehement & virulent manner with those crimes which the parties then cleared themselves of , nor were we then able to make any good proof of against them , may deservedly be censured ( if I be not much mistaken ) to argue no small defect , not of piety and charity alone , but even of humanity , ( not to adde , of common honesty it self ) in those that so do . Now this whether M r George Walker have made himself guilty of or no , in his Treatise lately published under the Title of Socinianisme in the Fundamentall point of Justification discovered and confuted , concerning M r Anthony Wotton , a man , by M r Walkers own confession , of speciall note for his piety , life and learning , while he lived , which both the University of Cambridge , and the City of London are able also to give ample testimony unto ; I say nothing my self , but leave it to be tried and judged by the sequele , wherein I shall be only a relatour of that that my self was for the most part either an eye or an ear-witnesse of , leaving M r Wotton to plead his own cause , and M r Walker's own dayes-men by their award under their own hands either to cast or to clear him . The Relation . NOt to hold my reader therefore long in the entry ere I come to the Relation : M r Walker in a letter directed to M r Wotton ( whom he had before bitterly inveighed against both in private and publick ) dated May the second , 1614. yet to be seen under his own hand , chargeth him ( for you shall have it precisely in his own words ) on this wise , The Errours and Opinions which you maintain , and wherewith you have infected divers , are of all that ever were sown by the enemy of God and man amongst Christian people the most pestilent and dangerous , being nothing else but the heresies of Servetus and Socinus those most damnable and cursed hereticks , the greatest monsters that ever were born within the borders of Christ his Church . And after this charge in such hideous terms conceived , in the same letter he subjoyneth this peremptory challenge , Meet me as a Christian before eight learned and godly Ministers chosen equally by both , that they may be witnesses betwixt you and me , and that it may be seen whether I do justly charge you with heresie and blasphemy or no , and whether your writings do not shew you to be a Socinian . Upon receit of this letter containing much other lavish and menacing language , M r Wotton repaired to the Right Reverend , the then Bishop of London , D r King their Diocesan , acquainted him with the businesse , and requested his Lordship to convent M r Walker and himself , and to heare them both together ; not refusing , if M r Walker could make his charge good against him , to undergo such censure and penalty as he should be deemed thereby to have justly deserved ; otherwise requiring due satisfaction by his Lordships means from him who had wronged him in such manner . But the Bishop perswaded M r Wotton rather , according to M r Walkers own Proposition , to referre the matter to such a number of their brethren the Ministers as were by him mentioned , and so to make a private end of the businesse . Whereunto M r Wotton returned this answer , That howsoever he desired rather that his Lordship would be pleased to have the hearing of it himself , yet since that he seemed to like better of the other course by M r Walker propounded , he was well content to condescend thereunto , so be that his Lordship would be pleased to assigne one of his Chaplains then present to be one of the foure to be nominated by him , though a stranger to him ; for that he cared not who they were , acquaintance or strangers , so they be godly and learned , that should heare and judge his cause . And the Bishop accordingly promised that it should so be , assigning M r Henry Mason , a grave and reverend Divine , being then and there present , to undertake that office with such others as were to be adjoyned unto him in the same : who yet surviving in the City is able to testifie of this passage with the Bishop , whether it were according to this relation or no. For I have this onely from M r Wotton's own report ( though nothing doubtfull of the truth of it ) who meeting me accidentally in Pauls Church as he came from the Bishop , having not seen him long before , shewed me M r Walker's letter , told me what speech he had had thereupon with the Bishop , and what by the Bishops perswasion he had yielded unto ; withall requesting me to be one of those that were on his part to be named for the discussing and deciding of this difference . Which motion of his albeit I desired to wave , wishing him rather to make choise of some other , both nearer at hand , and of better abilities , the City affoording such not a few ; yet at his instant request , the rather pressing it upon me , because he had , as he said , so happily light upon me unexpected , and notwithstanding that he knew before my judgement in some particulars to differ from his , having both by word of mouth , and in writing also sometime at his own request manifested to him as much , yet making no reckoning thereof , I was at length induced to condescend thereunto . The persons nominated by M r Walker were M r Stocke , M r Downame , M r Gouge , and M r Westfield ; whereof three is yet living , M r Stock onely is deceased . Those that were nominated by M r Wotton ( because M r Mason by occasion of an extraordinary employment by his Majestie suddenly enjoyned , of surveying a book of D r John Whites ready to be published , could not attend the businesse , another therefore being substituted in his stead ) were these , M r Balmford , M r Randall , M r Hicks , Chaplain to the Earl of Excester , and my self ; who alone ( I suppose ) of all the foure now survive , and am the rather induced to affoord this Christian office to so worthy * a deceased friend . It was thought not so fit to meet in a private house ( which at first we had done , but found therein some inconvenience ) as in some Church that stood out of the way of ordinary concourse . By occasion hereof D r Baylie , afterward Bishop of Banghor , came in as one of us , and made up a ninth , because we desired to make use of his Church . There accordingly we met , and some time being spent , or , if you will , wasted , rather in loose invectives then in orderly disputes , I made bold to propound a course to the rest of the company ( because time was precious , and my self came farthest ) for the better expediting of the businesse undertaken by us ; which was also generally approved of by the rest , and by both parties agreed unto . The Proposition was this , That M r Walker should in a Parallel consisting of two columns set down Socinus his hereticall and blasphemous errours and positions on the one side , and M r Wottons assertions , wherein he charged him to concurre with Socinus , over against them on the other side : upon view whereof it might the sooner appear how the one suited with the other . M r Walker undertook so to do ; and M r Wotton required onely to have M r Walker's said writing delivered unto him some two or three dayes before the set time of our next meeting , that he might against that day prepare a brief answer thereunto , in writing then to be exhibited . The motion was on either side deemed equall ; nor did M r Walker himself mislike it . Now by this means , God in his providence so disposing it ( which at the present in likelihood was little dreamed of ) M r Wotton , as * Abel , though deceased , is inabled to speak in his own defence , and to plead now his own cause as well as then he did . M r Walkers Parallel , and therein his Evidence produced for the proof of his charge above mentioned , you shall have in his own words as it was then given in ; those pieces of it onely that were conceived in Latine being faithfully translated word for word , as near as could be , into English , because in English M r Walker's book with the renewed Charge is abroad . M r WALKER 's evidence . THat it may plainly appear that Socinus , Servetus , Ostorodius , Gittichius , Arminius and M r Wotton do in the doctrine of Justification hold one and the same opinion in all points , I shew by the parts and heads of their doctrine set down in order , and by their own sayings and testimonies paralleled and set one by another . The first errour of Socinus and his followers is , That Justification is contained onely in Remission of sinnes , without imputation of Christ his Righteousnesse . SOCINUS . His own words . 1 For ( as oft hath been said by us ) in remission of sinnes , which is the same w th not-imputation of sins , is our righteousnesse contained : and therefore with Paul , not to impute sinnes , and to impute righteousnesse , or to account righteous are the same . And with this imputation ( as we have said ) the imputation of anothers righteousnesse hath no commerce . Treatise of Christ the Saviour . Part. 4. chap. 4. pag. 463. column . 2. near the end . 2 There is no one syllable extant in holy writ of Christs righteousnesse to be imputed unto us , Chap. the same , pag. 462. 3 It is the same with Paul , to have sinnes covered , to have iniquities remitted , to have sinne not imputed , that it is , to have righteousnesse imputed without works . And this manifestly declareth , that there is no cause why we should suspect mention to be made of anothers righteousnesse , since we reade that Faith was imputed unto Abraham for righteousnesse , or unto righteousnesse , pag. the same . col . 2. 4 God delivered the Lord Jesus unto death , that by him rising from the dead we might hope to obtain justification , that is , absolution from our sins , Pag. 463. col . 2. 5 That is first to be considered , that this imputation can in no wise be upheld , In the same place . WOTTON . 1 Albeit with Piscator I willingly acknowledge that the justification of a sinner is wholly comprehended in the alone pardon of sins ; yet I find no where in Holy writ that there is need of the Imputation of Christs passive obedience unto the attaining of it , Theses in Latine . 2. That Christs obedience is imputed by God to the justification of a sinner , doth not appear by any testimonie of Scripture , or by any argument , or by any type or ceremonie in the Law , or by any signification in the Sacraments of the Gospel , In the same , arg . 1. 3 No necessary use or end can be assigned of the imputation of the obedience of Christ to the justification of a sinner , In the same , arg . 4. 4 I renounce the Law , both in whole and in part , performed by our selves , or any other in our stead , to the justifying of us in the sight of God. 5 I assent to Piscator , that justification consisteth wholly in remission of sinnes . For so doth the Apostle , Rom. 3. & 4. propound and dispute the question , without any mention or inckling of Christs righteousnesse . These are his words in a little English Pamphlet , first published briefly , and secondly by him enlarged . The second point or errour is , That Faith is a condition appointed by God to be performed on our parts for obtaining of Justification . SOCINUS . 1 The promise was made to Abraham not without a secret condition , to wit , that he should walk before God and be perfect , that is , he should not refuse to obey him . Now to walk before God , and to obey him , are included in faith , and cannot be without it ; yea they flow from it alone , as he himself teacheth after in the same chapter . 2 The confidence saith he ( which he had before affirmed to be faith ) is the cause of our obedience : Therefore a man believeth , because he trusteth . And it is perfected by obedience : because no man is truly said to have trusted , before he do indeed obey , Part. 4. chap. 11. pag. 555 , 556. And a little after , 3 Whereby that appeareth to be most true , which we even now strove to prove , that that faith , which of it self so far as concerneth what is in us doth justifie us , is confidence in Christ , 559. WOTTON . 1 The condition to be performed on our part to justification , is to believe , Sermon 8. upon John , pag. 352. 2 The act of faith or believing bringeth justification and adoption onely and merely by the place and office which the Lord of his own mercie hath assigned it , to be the condition required on our parts for the atchieving of these favours and honours , Serm. 9. pag. 452. The third errour is , That Faith doth not justifie us , as it apprehendeth Christ and his righteousnesse , but by it self , in a proper not metonymicall sense . SOCINUS . 1 We are justified by faith in Christ , so farre forth as we trust in Christ , Part. 4. chap. 11 pag. 558. col . 2. 2 The faith of Christ doth justifie us by it self , or ( to speak more rightly ) God doth justifie us by himself , pag. 559. col . 1. WOTTON . 1 Faith in that place ( to wit , Rom. 4.5 . ) is to be taken properly unlesse peradventure it be used for to believe or to trust . For that which is by some alledged of a trope , whereby they suppose that Christs obedience apprehended by faith is signified , I doubt how I may grant . And a little after , 2 What trope should there lie hid , I see not . 3 Also Serm. 9. on John. Abraham believed God ; and it , that is , his believing , was counted to him for righteousnesse , pag. 453. 4 Also in his Purgation , I think that faith in Christ , without a trope , in proper speech is imputed to all believers for righteousnesse . The fourth errour is , That for faith properly taken , and dignified and made worthy , not of it self , but in Gods acceptation and of his mercie , a man is justified , and may lay claim ( as it were ) to remission of sinnes . SOCINUS . 1 For faith we are deemed perfectly just . And a little after , 2 Abraham believed God ; and for that cause he was accounted of him for righteous , Part. 4. chap. 4. pag. 462. col . 2. 3 For one act of faith was Abraham righteous , Servetus , Book 2. of Law and Gospel , as Calvine reciteth in his refutation of Servetus , pag. 903. WOTTON . 1 He that believeth is accounted by God , to all purposes concerning eternall life , to have done as much according to the covenant of the Gospel , as he should have been accounted to have done , according to the covenant of the Law , if he had perfectly fulfilled it , In his first English paper . The fifth errour is , That faith is no firm perswasion , by which men apprehend and lay hold upon Christ and his righteousnesse , and apply them to themselves , as of right belonging to us by our spirituall union : but that it is a trust and confidence in Christ for salvation joyned with obedience to Christs precepts : or ( to speak plainly ) a confidence that Christ , having obtained by his obedience the Kingdome and all power , will certainly give us salvation , if we relie on him , and obey his counsels . SOCINUS . 1 Faith in Christ , which maketh us righteous before God , is nothing else but to trust in Christ , Part. 4. chap. 11. in the beginning : and in the same , page 560. col . 2. 2 To believe in Christ , is nothing else but to trust in Christ , to cleave to Christ , and from the heart to embrace his doctrine as heavenly and healthsome . And a little before , 3 This your apprehension of Christ , is a mere humane device , and a most empty dream . And towards the end of the chapter . 4 He calleth our perswasion of righteousnesse , already obtained and gotten by Christ , vain . WOTTON . 1 As for that perswasion , wherein some would have faith to consist , it followeth him that is justified , not goeth before , as faith must needs do , Ser. on John , p. 392. also p. 338. and 448. 2 To believe in Christ is to trust in Christ , and to rest on him , to have his heart settled , and to relie wholly and onely on him . And what this trust is , he describeth more particularly , pag. 390. where he saith , 3 It is such a Faith , as maketh us rest upon God for the performance of his promise . The sixth errour is , That Christs whole obedience and righteousnesse serve , first and immediately for himself , to bring him into favour and autoritie with God : and secondly onely for us : Not that it might be communicated to us in him , to make us truly and formally righteous , but onely that it might serve for our use in that it maketh him gracious with God , and so both able to obtain that faith might be accepted for righteousnesse , and we for it ; and also powerfull to give those blessings which are promised to those that trust in him . SOCINUS . 1 As Adams offense made him and all mankind procreated by him guiltie of death , so Christs righteousnesse and obedience procured life eternall to Christ himself . Whereby it cometh to passe , that so many as shall by procreated by him become partakers of the same life , Part. 4. chap. 6. and , 2. part . 2. Chap. 8. p. 178. col . 2. and , 3. part . 3. chap. 3. in the end . WOTTON . In a paper written in Latine . 1 All the good will wherewith God embraceth us proceedeth from that grace , that Christ is in with God. Now that is in these things for the most part contained , that he is by nature the Son of God , that he is perfectly holy , that he hath performed obedience exact in all respects , both in fulfilling the Law , & in performing all things belonging to the office of a Mediatour : from whence it followeth , that those that believe are for Christs righteousnes gracious with God. And in the same paper , 2 If question be concerning the formall cause of justification , I exclude from it either obedience of Christ . If of the efficient by way of merit , I maintain it to depend upon both . The seventh errour is , That Christ did not satisfie the justice of God for us , in such sort , that we may be said ( when we truly believe ) to have satisfied the justice of God and his wrath in him : and that God of his mercie without Christs satisfaction made ours , doth pardon our sinnes and justifie and redeem us . SOCINUS . 1 Reade over all the places of the New Testament , in which mention is made of redemption , and you shall find none in which there is evident mention of the paiment of any true price , or of satisfaction , Part. 2. chap. 1. pag. 109. col . 2. And a little after , 2 As we are said to be sold under sinne , that is , enslaved to it , without any true price intervening ; so are we said to be redeemed from the same by Christ , that is , freed , though no price hath truly and properly intervened . 3 Likewise Part. 1. chap. 7. in the end , he denieth Satisfaction . 4 Also Chap. 4. pag. 84. col . 2. That there is no need of any satisfaction , when the offense is not imputed to him that hath offended by the party against whom he hath offended , or the debt is by the creditour remitted . WOTTON . In the paper written in Latine . 1 Neither ( that I speak freely what I truly think ) can I understand what place is left for pardon , if by payment of pains in Christ we be deemed to have satisfied the wrath of God , and to have born the punishment due to our sinnes : for Pardon and Punishment are contraries . 2 Also in his English paper enlarged , the same words are rehearsed , and the same reason given , even , Because Pardon and Punishment are contraries . Thus have you the evidence by M r Walker then given in for the justifying of that his charge : which , for the effect and substance of it , is in as broad and odious terms in print now again renewed , some six and twenty years after the cause according to his own request heard , and some fourteen years after M r Wotton's decease . May it please you now to heare M r Wotton's answer in his own defense , as it was in writing by him then exhibited . Mr. Wotton's Defence . A. W. in the doctrine of Justification holdeth one and the same opinion in all points with Socinus : and therefore is justly charged by G. W. to be guilty of heresie and blasphemy . That he doth hold the same in all points , is shewed by these seven Errours following : The first Errour of Socinus and his followers is , That Justification is contained onely in Remission of Sinnes , without Imputation of Christs Righteousnesse . 1. If you mean without Imputation of Christs Righteousnesse as the meritorious cause of Justification , I grant the Proposition to be hereticall and blasphemous . And so doth Socinus deny Imputation . I. Christ ( saith he ) did not satisfie for our sinnes : Treatise of Christ the Saviour , Part 1. chap. 1. pag. 1. part 2. chap. 17. pag. 245. col . 1. part 3. pag. 306. beginning , and chap. 1. pag. 307. col . 1. II. He could not satisfie , Part 2. chap. 24. pag. 288. col . 2. part . 3. in argum . chap. 6 : pag. 406. III. He did not pacifie God , Part 2. chap. 2. pag. 120. col . 1. Part 1. chap. 7. pag. 76. col . 2. IV. There was no need of any satisfaction to be made , Part 1. chap. 1. pag. 1. V. God would not that any satisfaction should be made , Part 3. chap. 2. pag. 317. col . 2. and pag. 324. col . 1. But I do not so deny Imputation of Christs Righteousnesse : for I acknowledge it to be the meritorious cause of our Justification , and that for it we are accepted of God as fully as if we had fulfilled the Law perfectly , Treatise of the Justification of a Sinner , in explication of the definition of Reconciliation , and in the definition of Adoption , and in the Conclusion . 2. If you mean without Imputation of Christs Righteousnesse , as the formall cause whereby we are made formally righteous , by having fulfilled the Law , and satisfied the Justice of God in Christ , I say the Proposition is neither hereticall nor blasphemous . And that I must be so understood , my writings shew . For , first , I professe that I speak of the formall cause of Justification , Treat . of Justific . of a Sinner , in the State of the Question , in Answer to Argum. for Position 1. and to Arg. 1. for Position 3. and in the Conclusion . Secondly , I expresse that manner of formally righteous , Treat . of Justific . of a Sinner : where I expound what it is to impute to a Sinner Christs Obedience ; and of Justification , where I deliver mine own opinion , Sect. 2. which is the very place that M r Walker alledgeth against me out of the English . Therefore I agree not with Socinus in this first Errour , but am unjustly charged to be guilty of heresie and blasphemy for holding one and the same opinion with him in all points in the doctrine of Justification . The second Errour is , That Faith is a condition appointed by God to be performed on our parts for obtaining Justification . 1. Socinus defineth believing on Christ to be nothing else then to yield ones self obedient to God , according to the rule and prescript of Christ , and by so doing to expect from Christ himself the crown of life eternall , Treat . of Christ the Saviour , Part 3. chap. 2. pag. 321. col . 1. 2. He maketh Faith to be indeed ( as M r Walker saith ) a confidence in Christ , but he addeth immediately ( which M r Walker leaveth it ) that is , an obedience to Christs precepts , with a firm hope of obtaining those things which he hath promised to those that obey him , Part 4. chap. 11. pag. 559. col . 1. and in the same page he laboureth to prove , That Faith doth signifie obedience to Christs Commandments , Sect. Hinc factum est . 3. He maketh Repentance and Amendment of life the means to obtain that forgivenesse of sinnes which Christ hath brought , Part 3. chap. 2. pag. 321. col . 1. 4. And whereas Faith is added to Repentance , Act. 20.21 . It is not ( saith he ) because Faith in Christ is required unto the obtaining of remission of sinnes , as working somewhat more in us besides repentance it self , that doth hereunto appertain ; but because this Repentance cometh not but by Faith in Christ . In the same columne , Sect. Manifestum . 5. He saith , that whereas John sent the people to Christ , and warned them to believe in him ; it was not as if they should find any other thing besides Repentance in Christ that was requisite unto the obtaining of pardon from God , but , first , that they might be exactly taught of Christ what that Repentance ought to be . Besides , that from Christ they might understand that that was wholly so indeed , which he delivered onely as a messenger . Lastly , that they might not be washed with water onely , but have the holy Ghost poured upon them , Part 3. pag. 320. col . 1. But I never writ , spake , nor conceived so of Faith to the obtaining of Justification . Nay , it is evident that I make Faith not a believing of that which Christ taught , and an assurance of obtaining that he promised upon our Repentance and Obedience ( which is Socinus his confidence , Part 4. chap. 11 pag. 559. col . 1. ) but a resting and relying upon Christ , a trusting to Christ for salvation , Serm. 6. upon John , pag. 286. and Serm. 8. pag. 386 , 389 , 398. yea a means , and , if you will , an instrument to apprehend and receive Christ to our Justification , Treat . of Justific . in explicat . of the Definition of Reconcil . So that , for ought I hold of Faith , Christs Righteousnesse may be even the formall cause of our Justification . Therefore I agree not with Socinus in this second Errour , but am unjustly charged to be guilty of heresie and blasphemy for holding one and the same opinion with him in all points in the doctrine of Justification . The third Errour is , That Faith doth not justifie us , as it apprehendeth and applieth Christ and his Righteousnesse ; but by it self , in a proper not metonymicall sense . This third Errour hath two Propositions , which shall be answered to severally . The former is , That Faith doth not justifie as it apprehendeth and applieth Christ and his Righteousnesse . I hold this Proposition to be false ; acknowledging and confessing that Faith doth not justifie us but onely as it apprehendeth and applieth Christ and his Righteousnesse ; the very condition of the Gospel being , That by Faith we apprehend and apply Christ and his righteousnesse to be justified thereby , Treat . of Justifie . in explic . of the definit . of Reconcil . The other Proposition is , That Faith doth justifie us by it self in a proper not metonymicall sense . I never said or thought that Faith doth justifie us by it self . This onely I say , that in this Proposition , Faith is counted for Righteousnesse , the word Faith is to be taken properly , not tropically ; the question being in such Propositions not of the meritorious or formall cause of our Justification , but of the condition required on our part instead of keeping the Law. Therefore I agree not with Socinus in this third Errour , but am unjustly charged to be guilty of heresie and blasphemy for holding one and the same opinion with him in all points in the doctrine of Justification . The fourth Errour is , That for Faith properly taken , and dignified and made worthy , not of it self but in Gods acceptation and of his mercy a man is justified , and may lay claim to remission of sinnes . Neither Socinus nor Servetus ( in the words you bring out of them ) affirm that a man is justified and may lay claim to remission of sinnes , for Faith any way dignified , &c. Nay , Socinus avoucheth , that Repentance and Amendment of life is that by which that forgivenesse of sinnes which is brought by Christ is obtained , Part 3. chap. 2. pag. 322. col . 1. How then am I proved to agree with him in that Errour which he is not proved to hold ? Especially , seeing that I never said that we are justified for Faith , and do renounce all dignity and worth in Faith , and give the whole merit of our Justification to our Saviour Christ and his obedience . That which is alledged out of my papers is no more but this , That the condition of the Gospel being Faith , as the condition of the Law is Keeping of the Law ; he that believeth in Christ hath done as much , that is , performed the condition of the Gospel , as well as he that keepeth the Law hath fulfilled the condition of the Law : so that on his part God requireth no more to his Justification . And that this is certainly my meaning , the words going before in that English paper , and those also that follow in the other English paper , and in the Latine , do manifestly shew . Therefore I agree not with Socinus in this fourth Errour , but am unjustly charged to be guilty of heresie and blasphemie for holding one and the same opinion with him in all points in the doctrine of Justification . The fifth Errour is , That Faith is no firm perswasion by which we apprehend and lay hold upon Christ and his Righteousnesse , and apply them to our selves as of right belonging to us by our spirituall union ; but that it is a trust and confidence in Christ for salvation , joyned with obedience to Christs precepts : or ( to speak plainly ) a confidence that Christ , having obtained by his obedience the kingdome and all power , will certainly give us salvation if we rely on him and obey his counsels . Whether the three Propositions set down in this Errour , be rightly gathered from the words alleaged by M r Walker out of Socinus or no , I leave to other mens judgement . But whatsoever Socinus held , I have nothing to do with any of these Propositions . Onely of the first I say , That the perswasion , whereof I speak in the place he bringeth , is that particular assurance that every man ( as some define Faith ) must have to Justification ; viz. that his sinnes are forgiven in Christ : Whereas Faith ( being the condition required on our part ) must go before Justification , at least in nature . But this perswasion followeth it , and is bred in us by the Spirit of God after we believe and are justified . For it is given to us , being already adopted Sons , Gal. 4.5 . and Adoption is a Prerogative vouchsafed us upon our believing , John 1.12 . Therefore I agree not with Socinus in this fifth Errour , but am unjustly charged to be guilty of heresie and blasphemy for holding one and the same opinion with him in all points in the doctrine of Justification . The sixth Errour is , That Christs whole obedience and Righteousnesse serve first and immediately for himself to bring him into favour and authority with God ; and secondly , onely for us : Not that it might be communicated to us in him , to make us truly and formally righteous ; but onely that it might serve for our use , in that it maketh him gracious with God , and so both able to obtain , that Faith might be accepted for Righteousnesse and we for it ; and also powerfull to give those blessings which are promised to those that trust in him . The words you alledge out of Socinus prove no more ( at the most ) but the first point of this Errour , That Christs whole Obedience and Righteousnesse serve first and immediately for himself , to bring him into favour and authority with God. There is nothing in this sixth Errour that toucheth me . All that I say , in the former place alledged by M r Walker , is no more but this ; That whatsoever maketh Christ beloved of God is some cause of Gods love to us who are beloved in and for him , Ephes . 1.3 , 4 , 6. Now among other things for which Christ is beloved , his holinesse and obedience have no mean place . Whereupon it followeth that they may be reckoned in the number of those causes that make us beloved of God in and for his Sonne our Saviour Jesus Christ , Treat . of Justific . of a Sinner , in explic . of the Definit . of Reconcil . In the latter I say , That we are not accounted to be Formally Righteous , by having fulfilled the Law and satisfied the Justice of God in Christ . And yet I acknowledge that we are ( for his obedience ) accepted of God as righteous no lesse then if we had indeed performed those things . And this was determined in the first Errour to be neither heresie nor blasphemy . Therefore I agree not with Socinus in this sixth Errour , but am unjustly charged to be guilty of heresie and blasphemy , for holding one and the same opinion with him in all points in the doctrine of Justification . The seventh Errour is , That Christ did not satisfie the Justice of God for us in such sort that we may be said ( when we truly believe ) to have satisfied the Justice of God and his wrath in him : And that God ( of his Mercy ) without Christs satisfaction made ours , doth pardon our sinnes , and justifie and redeem us . Socinus denieth all satisfaction by Christ , not onely with limitation ( as you propound it in this seventh Errour ) but absolutely , as appeared in mine answer to the first Errour : and accordingly he maintaineth that we are pardoned , justified , and redeemed without any satisfaction made by a true price paid to God the Father by our Saviour Christ for us . But I acknowledge and professe that Christ hath made satisfaction for us , by paying a true price to God his Father for us : and that God doth not pardon us but for and in respect of that payment made for us . In the places alledged out of my writings I say no more , but that we cannot be held to have satisfied the wrath of God in Christ , and withall to be truly and properly pardoned . If we have been punished , how are we pardoned ? If we be pardoned , we have not been punished . Christ hath been punished for us ; we are pardoned for his punishment , Esa . 53.5 . Therefore I agree not with Socinus in this seventh Errour , and ( having cleared my self of agreeing with him in any of the seven ) am unjustly charged by M r Walker to be guilty of heresie and blasphemy for holding one and the same opinion with Socinus in all points in the doctrine of Justification . The Issue . THus have you both M r Walker's charge and evidence , and M r Wotton's Answer in his own Defence thereunto . You exspect now ( I suppose ) in the next place to heare what the Issue of it was . Upon the delivery in therefore and view of both compared together , there was by word of mouth further debating of the severall points at large , as well between M r Walker and M r Wotton , as by the parties nominated on either side among themselves . Who albeit they agreed not with M r Wotton in all particulars ; and in some things then debated were not all of one mind , as in that question occasioned by M r Wotton's answer to one branch of the last Article , to wit , Whether in the work of redemption the faithfull be considered as one with Christ , or no : or in plainer terms , Whether our insition into Christ in the order of Nature be deemed to precede the work of our redemption , or the work of our redemption in the order of nature to go before it : concerning which , being somewhat a nice subtiltie , they were divided ; some holding the one part , and some the other : yet so farre were they from condemning M r Wotton as guilty of heresie and blasphemie in the points above mentioned , as that they professed divers of them , and that some of M r Walker's own choice , no one denying or opposing the rest therein , to have oft taught some of them , namely the second , to wit , That faith is a condition appointed by God to be performed on our part for obtaining justification : which yet M r Walker affirmed to be a most dangerous errour . In conclusion , it was without further question or contradiction of any of the whole eight then present , as well the nominated by the one as those assigned by the other , with unanimous consent generally resolved and pronounced , that there appeared not to them either heresie or blasphemy in ought that M r Wotton was by M r Walker convinced to have delivered or maintained . Which M r Wotton requiring further to be testified under their hands , albeit M r Walker , perceiving it to be deemed equall and meet , began to storm and flie out , and demanded of them , whether they would take upon them to determine heresie ; whereunto such answer was returned as was fit : yet it was accordingly ( as of right it ought ) yielded unto . The writing by all the eight then present subscribed , being committed to the custodie of D r Bayly , upon promise by him made to deliver it to M r Wotton , when it should by two of the parties , one of either side nominated , be demanded of him in his behalf . Now howsoever the Doctour afterward upon some pretences refused to deliver it as he had promised to do , whether pressed by M r Walker to detain it or no , I wot not , himself best knoweth : yet for the truth of this issue , as it hath here been related in the behalf of M r Wotton , it will plainly appear by the attestation of two of those of M r Walkers party yet surviving ( for a third is deceased , and the fourth was absent at the meeting that concluded all ) in the very terms ensuing , written with one of their hands , and subscribed by them both . We whose names are under-written do testifie , that the eight Ministers at the hearing of the foresaid points in controversie betwixt M r Wotton and M r Walker , and continuing till the end of that meeting ( though in every part they assented not to every of those Positions ) under their hands witnessed , that they found neither heresie nor blasphemie in any of them , or to the like purpose . JOHN DOWNAME . WILLIAM GOUGH Thus have you faithfully related , upon ground of proof undeniable , the carriage of the businesse between M r Walker , and M r Wotton , and the issue of the same . You have M r Walker's charge and challenge , together with the evidence produced and given in by him to make his charge good : you have M r Wotton's defence in way of answer thereunto : and you have the verdict and sentence of select parties appealed to by joynt consent , delivered upon diligent view and due hearing both of the one and the other ; who all say in effect , that M r Wotton did sufficiently clear himself from those foul imputations of heresie and blasphemie , that M r Walker then charged him with ; and that M r Walker failed in making good that his charge then , which with so much vehemency and virulency he reneweth now against him , yoking him with Peter Abeilard , and with Servetus and Socinus , as agreeing with them in such damnable and detestable dotages as they held and maintained , and for which they were condemned as blasphemous hereticks . The iniquitie whereof , though it may sufficiently appear by what hath already been related ; yet that the Reader may the better judge how equally these persons are here yoked together , it will not be amisse ( though the matter be but unsavoury ) to acquaint him with some generall and principall heads of those points , that Abeilardus , Servetus , and Socinus stand charged with . Peter Abeilard , or Balard ( for a of his name they agree not ) whom b some affirm to have been one of the first Fathers of the School-men , and first founders of School-divinitie ( for c Peter Lombard , say they , took from him ) is by Bernard d charged , to have savoured of Arius in the doctrine of the Trinitie ; of Pelagius , in the doctrine of Grace ; of Nestorius concerning the person of Christ : to have held e Christ to be no true Redeemer of us , nor to have reconciled us to God by his death : but to have been an exemplary Saviour ; that is , such an one as by his life and death , pietie and charitie , obedience and patience , chalketh us out the way to heaven : and to have broached in his books f a number of sacrilegious errours concerning the soul of Christ ; his descent into hell ; the power of binding and loosing ; g the sacraments of the Church , and by name that of the Altar ; of originall sinne ; of concupiscence ; of sinnes of delight , infirmitie , and ignorance ; of sinne in work and sinne in will. But he telleth us not what they were . Now whether Bernard charge him truly herein or no ( which for divers causes may be justly questioned ; and the rather for that Abeilard in h his Apologie flatly denieth , that he ever wrote taught or once thought the most of those points that Bernard fasteneth upon him , and for that i Bernard's reports concerning others of those times , some whereof were his scholars , are not unjustly suspected ) it is not much materiall to our purpose ; the rather for that the charge granted to be true , the more pestilent and blasphemous his errours are found to be , the greater inequalitie will appear in the collation , unlesse the parties collated can be proved to have maintained opinions as pestilent and as blasphemous as his . But for Servetus and Socinus , the other two , what they held , we have records of sufficient credit . For Servetus , ( from whom M r Walker borroweth onely one small snip , wherewith to piece up his Parallel ) whether his works be extant or no , I wot not ; and the better it is , if they be not . But what he taught and maintained , we have taken out of his writings , from M r Calvine's relation , together with an ample refutation of them adjoyned thereunto . His chief assertions , among a vast heap of other absurd , prodigious and blasphemous ones , are these : That a there is no such Trinitie of persons in the Deitie , as is commonly maintained ; where he brandeth the orthodox tenet and the abettours of it with most hideous terms raked up from Hel it self , and too vile to be related , and fasteneth many uncouth and fantasticall conceits full of impietie and blasphemie upon the names given in Scripture to the second and third Persons . That b God in the beginning of the world produced the Word and the Spirit : and began then as a person to appear in three uncreated elements and communicated of his essence unto all that he then made . That c This Word being the face and image of God , is said then to have been begotten , because God then began to breed it , but stayed for a woman to bear it , untill the Virgin Mary was ; that d then Christ was conceived in her womb , of the seed of the Word and the substance of the Spirit : so that the Word was then first turned into flesh , and then that flesh by the Spirit wholly turned into the essence of the Deitie ; e and that Christ hath now a spirituall body , that filleth heaven and earth . That f The Spirit is a kind of gentle breath , which at first proceeded from the Word , consisting partly of the essence of God , and partly of a created power : which g having moved in the Creation on the face of the waters , and there finding no rest , retired again to heaven , and there stayed , till at the Baptisme of Christ it came down again . That h Man is said to be made after Gods image , because the very essence of God is in every man from his originall , and that not in the soul onely but in the body ; and that though the devil have by a kind of carnall copulation got into , and possessed himself of the body , yet that the divine essence remaineth still in the soul : which notwithstanding it is by sinne become mortall , and is breathed out into the aire , yet in the regenerate by means of the Spirit it becometh consubstantiall and coeternall with God. That i Christ should have come to carie men to heaven , albeit Adam had never fallen ; and that the Tree of knowledge of good and evil was a figure of Christ , whom Adam over-hastily desiring to tast of threw himself and his posteritie into perdition . That k None are guilty of mortall sinne , till they be twenty yeare old ; because they have no knowledge of good or evil till then ; l nor are therefore till then to be catechised : m nor any to be baptized , till they be thirty years old ; because of that age the first Adam was created , and at that age the second Adam was baptized . That n Before Christs coming the Angels onely , not God , were worshipped : o nor were any regenerate by the Spirit : p nor did their faith regard any more then terrestriall good things ; save that some few by apropheticall spirit might aloof off have some smatch of spirituall things . That q From the beginning , as well Gentiles as Jews , that lived well according to natures guidance , were thereby justified ; and without faith of Christ shall thereby at the last day attain to life eternall . That r The Law was given onely for a time ; and ſ that men were then saved by the observation of it ; which was then observed , when men did what they could , who might therefore glorie then in their works , being justified wholly by them : but t that men are not now to be scared with it . That u Faith is nothing else but to believe Christ to be the Sonne of God : and v to justifie , nothing , but to make a man righteous , who was sinfull before : and that x we are now justified , partly by faith , and partly by works . That z On Gods part there is no promise required unto justification : nor doth faith depend upon any promise of God , or hath any respect thereunto : in regard whereof * he scoffeth at those that build their faith upon Gods promises , or that mention them in their prayers . That a There is a perfect puritie in every holy action ; and such as may endure even the extreme rigour of Gods justice . That b Abraham was indeed justified by works : howbeit , that his believing is first said to be imputed to him for righteousnesse , and he said to be just for one act of faith ; ( the place by M r Walker produced ) as if a prince out of his favour regarding his souldiers mind and good will , would be pleased to accept the good endeavour for the thing fully performed : and so Abraham was therefore by God deemed just , because by his believing it appeared that he stood well affected to acquire a commendation of righteousnesse by his good works . Which is all , saith Calvine , that he ascribeth unto faith , either in us , or in him . c Whose faith , also he saith , as of others before Christ was no true faith but a figure of true faith , and the righteousnesse imputed to him no spirituall but a carnall righteousnesse , and insufficient ; not a truth , but a shadow ; and the imputation of it but a type of the great grace of Christ to us . And thus much , if not too much , of Servetus his blasphemous and prodigious dreams and dotages : for I have raked overlong in this filthy sinck , in this stincking puddle , which till upon this occasion I never pried or peered into before , nor , it may be , should ever have done but for it . Socinus remaineth , whose positions what they were , may appear by his writings yet extant , and in the hands of too many ; by means whereof it is to be feared that they do the more hurt . The principall of his tenets , though not so prodigious as those of Servetus , yet blasphemous and vile enough , are these : He denieth not d Christs deity and eternity onely , with e Arrius ; but f his existence at all also before he was conceived by the Virgin Mary , with g Photinus ; and so maketh him h a mere man. He denieth Christ to have been i a redeemer , or to have wrought any redemption , or to have paid any price or ransome unto God for us , truly and properly so termed ; or that k by his sufferings any satisfaction at all was made unto God for our sinnes ; or that l God is thereby reconciled unto us ; or that m thereby he merited ought from God either for himself or for us . That n he is therefore onely called a Saviour , and is said to save , partly o because he teacheth us by his doctrine , and p sheweth us by his practice the way to life eternall , and q confirmeth the same to us by the miracles that he wrought , and r by his dying and rising again from the dead ; and partly , ſ because he hath power given him by God to make the same good unto all that believe in him : That t to believe in him is nothing else but to obey him , or to keep his precepts under hope of eternall life thereby to be obtained ; and that this is the very u form and essence of justifying faith ; and that x for so doing a man is justified and accepted to life eternall ; and that y it is therefore in our power by our good works to attain thereunto . This is the summe of his doctrine concerning mans justification and salvation ; wherein also I am the briefer , because much of it hath been laid down before . Now whether M r Wotton or M r Godwin do conspire and concurre with Peter Abeilard , Servetus and Socinus in these their blasphemous dotages , and are therefore justly yoked with them by M r Walker or no ( it concerneth not me ) let others try and determine . But for M r Wotton his own defence of himself herein , and the censure of others by M r Walker himself appealed to , a which he cannot therefore in equity go from , I have faithfully delivered ; being confirmed by the attestation of those whom he cannot except against , being men of his own choise , and of sufficient credit and good esteem otherwise . And as for M r Godwin , to me a mere stranger in regard of any acquaintance , one whom I never heard or saw to my knowledge , save once of late occasionally at the funerall of a friend , nor know certainly what he holdeth or hath taught , I say no more , but as they sometime of their sonne , b Aetatem habet , he is old enough , and ( for ought I know ) able enough to answer for himself : and he surviveth yet so to do if he see good . But whether Peter Abeilard ever moved this Question which M r Walker saith he was the first mover of , to wit , Whether faith , or the righteousnesse of Christ be imputed in the act of justification , is to me a great question . And M r Walker's reading herein ( as , I confesse , it may well be ) is better then mine , if he can shew where either he did ever handle it , or is reported so to have done . Nor do I find in all M r Calvines large relation and refutation of Servetus his blasphemies , where ever he propounded or maintained any question in such terms , as this by M r Walker is here conceived in . For Socinus , it is true , that in prosecution of his discourses , wherein he laboureth to prove Christ to be such a Saviour onely as was out of him before described , he is inforced to acknowledge , that Faith , such as he meaneth , that is , Obedience to Christs commandments doth justifie , without relation to ought done or suffered by Christ , any satisfaction made by him , or merit of his ; neither of which he acknowledgeth : And the like may be deduced from what Servetus held , ( though his assertions , as Calvine also well observeth , are found oft to enterfere , and to crosse one another ) and from that also that Abeilard is by Bernard charged to have held . But if M r Walker will father this upon him concerning the deniall of the Imputation of Christs righteousnesse , because from his positions it may be deduced , he might have risen a great deal higher , and have fetched in Simon Magus , Ebion , Cerinthus , Marcion , Manes , and a whole rabble of old hereticks ( and out of the ancient stories of the Church made a list as large almost as his book is long ) from whose pestilent positions the same might as well be deduced , as from those things that Abeilardus and Servetus maintained . Again , neither is this sufficient to prove a point to be hereticall and blasphemous , because it may be deduced from assertions of that nature : for if we shall condemn as hereticall and blasphemous , whatsoever by necessary consequence may be extracted from those dotages that some blasphemous hereticks have held , the like censure may then , yea must then be passed upon many orthodox tenets , in the negative especially , maintained by us against the Church of Rome , since that they follow necessarily from those grounds that by such hereticks have been held . For example : That Christs body is not really present in the Sacrament , nor is sacrificed and offered up to God in the Masse , doth necessarily follow from the opinion of c Eutyches and others , who maintained the humane nature of Christ to be swallowed up into his Godhead ; from the dotages of d Simon , e Saturn , f Basilides , and many more , who held that he never suffered at all ; of g Apelles , who held that his body was dissolved into the foure elements ; of h Seleucus , i Manes , k and Hermes , that held it fastened to the starres , or lodged in the sunne : That there is no purgatory , nor use of invocation of Saints , or of singing masses for souls deceased , followeth necessarily from the opinion of l the Sadduces that held no spirits , and from the m Psychopannychites dream of the souls sleeping till the last day ; which in effect therefore , the sequestration of them at least from the divine presence till then , that Chamaelion Spalatensis n pretended the rather to maintain , because by it those Popish errours would be easily and evidently overthrown . For who is so meanly versed in the art of reasoning as not to know , That o the clearest truths may be deduced from the grossest falshoods that may be . As , grant a stone to have life , and a man to be a stone , and it will thence follow , that a man hath life . And yet were it absurd from hence to conclude , that whosoever holdeth the latter must needs either concurre in judgement with those that should maintain the former ; or hold any falshood , much lesse any absurdity , though those positions that inferre it be both false and absurd . And let M r Walker consider this calmly and seriously with himself : He hath put down this in his Parallel for an hereticall and blasphemous assertion , That Faith [ in Christ ] ( for so he must needs mean ) is a condition appointed by God to be performed on our parts for the obtaining of Justification . Now should any man hereupon enter an action against M r Walker , accusing him as guilty of Judaisme , Paganisme and Mahumetanisme , would he not , think we , make grievous complaint , yea with open mouth cry out and exclaim of extreme injury done him ? Yet is it as clear as the light at noon-day , that whosoever shall deny Faith in Christ to be a condition appointed by God to be performed on mans part for the obtaining of Justification , shall have all Jews , Paganes , and Mahumetanes concurring therein with him , as in a point naturally flowing and necessarily following from what they hold . To go yet a step further ; Suppose a man do concurre with such hereticks as have been spoken of in some point , be it a truth or an errour that is held and maintained by them , will it thence follow that he consenteth to them and agreeth with them in all things , or in such blasphemous opinions as they otherwise hold ? And here M r Walker's candour may well a little be questioned . To prove M r Wotton to hold one and the same opinion with Servetus in all points concerning the doctrine of Justification , he produceth onely this one saying of Servetus , For one act of Faith was Abraham righteous . Whether he have proved M r Wotton to have said the same or no , is not now materiall , and I leave it to be judged by what himself hath spoken for his own defence in way of answer thereunto . But should a man , putting in a crosse interrogatorie , demand of M r Walker Whether he hold that Christ hath fulfilled the Law for us or no ? I doubt not but he would answer in the affirmative , That he hath . And the very same thing in the very same words is found by Calvin related out of Servetus , a The carnall people , saith he , might glory in their deeds , but we may not but in the crosse of our Lord Jesus Christ : b We may onely relate the facts of Christ , who hath wrought all our works for us , by fulfilling the law for us when we could not do it our selves . Yet I suppose M r Walker would take it in very ill part , and well he might , if any should thence conclude , That M r Walker therefore doth in all points hold one and the same opinion with Servetus concerning the doctrine of Justification . Again for Socinus ; he maintaineth , that c To justifie is a term of judicature ; that , d it signifieth not to make a man inherently righteous , or to infuse righteousnesse into him ; but e to deem him , repute him , pronounce him righteous ; that f they do amisse that confound justification and sanctification , the one with the other ; that g That faith whereby we are justified is not a bare belief or assent unto the truth of Gods word ; that h Neither faith , i nor works , believing in Christ , or obeying him , are the meritorious causes of justification ; or k do or can , in regard of any worthin them , merit ought at Gods hands : l nor doth faith it self justifie by any force of its own . And all these points do our writers generally maintain against the Papists ; yet never , that I know , was any Papist so shamelesse ( and yet shamelesse enough are they ) as to condemn them therefore for Socinian hereticks , or to charge them to agree with Socinus and his followers in all points concerning the doctrine of justification . Again it is by Socinus held and maintained , that m justification consists in remission of sinnes , which for my part I deem erroneous , and suppose that elsewhere I have evidently shewed it so to be ; howbeit n Calvine , o Beza , p Olevian , q Ursine , r Zanchie , ſ Piscator , t Pareus , u Musculus , x Bullinger , y Fox , and divers others of great note and name , yea z whole Synods of ours are found so to say ; and yet were these men never yet , that I ever heard or read , for so saying condemned as hereticks , much lesse as blasphemous hereticks , but had in high esteem , as their worth , parts and works well deserved , by those that therein dissented from them . I will adde but one instance more , Socinus in the very entrance into his Treatise of Christ the Saviour affirmeth , that a God might if he had pleased , without breach of his justice , have pardoned mans sinne freely , without any satisfaction required : and the same he b after again presseth and prosecuteth in his ensuing discourses . Whether this be an errour or no , I stand not now to discusse . c Vorstius herein concurred with Socinus ; and d is for the same reproved by Tossanus ; Grotius likewise for e affirming the same is f taxed by Ravenspergerus ; g defended by Vossius , who citeth Divines not a few , both old and new , saying the same : And it is maintained , to passe by all others , by h Calvine , i Musculus , k Zanchie , l Grineus , Faius , m Casman , n Tilenus , o Franzius , p Smiglesius , and our reverend D r q Twisse ; yet I am perswaded that no wise or discreet man at least will hence conclude any of these to be therefore Socinian Hereticks . And M r Walker might do well to be better advised before he charge his Christian brethren and fellow-labourers in the work of Gods Ministerie , with these odious imputations of heresie and blasphemie , ( then which what can be more hainous , more hideous , being taints of the deepest die ? ) upon such weak and unjustifiable grounds as these are . To conclude , if any shall demand of me why I have undertaken this office ( which from some , I know , I shall have small thanks for ) and why I thrust my finger needlessely into the fire ? the answer is ready from what already hath been said ; I am the onely surviver for ought I know ( for Whether M r Hicks be still living or no , I am not certain ) of those that were on M r Wotton's part entrusted and employed in this businesse , and I could not therefore do lesse for so worthy a servant of God , and mine ancient acquaintance ; whom I alwayes reverenced while he lived as a man deserving singular respect for his pietie and learning , and zeal for Gods cause , which r his works left behind him do sufficiently manifest , and will testifie to ensuing posteritie , and both do and shall still honour deservedly the memorie of him now deceased ; and at rest , I doubt not , with the Lord , enjoying the reward of his religious pains taken in his Masters work ; then to testifie what I then heard and saw , was a party in , and subscribed to with others ; and to second the pious intents of his sonne , who treadeth carefully in his fathers commendable steps , desirous to publish what in his fathers papers he found for the vindicating of his postumous name and reputation , as dear unto him as his own , with this Preface and Postscript adjoyned thereunto . I say no more , but wish onely Veritatem cum Charitate , that Truth may with Charitie be pursued on all parts . So grant , good Lord , for thy Christs sake , now and ever . Amen . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A67122-e120 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Homer . Od. χ * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Plut. de serae numin . vindict . Notes for div A67122-e290 The Occasion . Mr Walkers charge His Challenge . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Mortuum etiam haud sustineo amicum prodere , Eurip. apud Dion . Prus . orat . 37 * Heb. 11.4 . Notes for div A67122-e2750 Charge . Errour 1. Answer . Errour 2. Answer . Errour 3. Answer . Errour 4. Answer . Errour 5. Answer . Errour 6. Answer . Errour 7. Answer . Notes for div A67122-e4440 a Fr. Amboesius in Praefat. Apol . pro Petr. Ab. b Beatus Rhenan . ad Tertull. calce Admonit . ad Lect. c Joannes Cornub. apud Quercetan . in Notis ad Abeilard . d Bern. ep . 192. e Idem ep . 190. f Idem Ep. 188. g Idem Ep. 193. h Abeilardus in Apologia operibus praefixa : & Epistolarum l. 2. ep . 20. Et in Apolog. altera apud Berengarium ejusdem discipulum ep . 17. contra Bern. p. 308. i Legantur Bernardi Epist . 195 , 196 , 240. & in Cant. serm . 55 , & 56. sed & Illyric . Catalog . Test. Verit. lib. 15. p. 1531. a Calv. in relat . & refut . error . Servet . Artic . 1. p. 607. col . 2. b Ibid. 657. col . 2. c Ibid. d Ibid. p. 658. c. 1. e Ibid. p. 657. c. 1. f Ibid. p. 658. c. 1. g Ibid. p. 656. c. 2. h Ibid. P. 609. c. 1. art . 29. & pag. 658. c. 1. i Ibid. p. 657. c. 1. k Pag. 609. c. 2. art . 37. & p. 547. c. 1. l Pag. 650. c. 2. m Pag. 649. c. 2. n Pag. 658. c. 1. o Pag. 657. c. 2. p Pag. 658. c. 1. q Pag. 658. c. 2. r Pag. 652. c. 2. ſ Pag. 655. c. 1. t Pag. 652. c. 2. u Pag. 658. c. 2. v Pag. 656. c. 1. x Pag. 658. c. 2. z Pag. 653. c. 1. * Pag. 654. c. 2. a Pag. 651. c. 2. & 654. c. 1. b Pag. 655. c. 2. c Pag. 655. c. 2. & p. 658. c. 1. d Socin . in Evang. Joan . c. 1. v. 1. p. 4 , 5. e Epiphan . haer . 69. & Aug. haer . 49. f Socin . in Joan. 1.1 . p. 7. & ad Cuteni object . art . 8. g Epiphan . haer . 71. & Aug. haer . 44 h Socin . in Joan. 1.14 . p. 35 , 36. i Socin . de Christo Servatore l. 2. c. 1. & 2. per totum . k Ibid. l. 1. c. 1. p. 145 & l. 3. c. 2. p. 317 , & 321. l Ibid. l. 1. c. 7. p. 76. & l. 2. c. 2. p. 120. & de Offic. Christ art . 38 , 39. m De Christ . Servat . l. 3. c. 5. & de Justificat . synop . 1 p 4. n De Christ. Serv. l. 1. c. 1. initio . o De Christ . Serv. l. 1. c. 2. de Offic. Christ . art . 5. ad object Cuteni , art . 9. p Ad Cuteni object . art . 14. q De Christ . Serv. l. 1. c. 3. de Offic. Christ . art . 35. r De Offic. Christ. art . 36 , 37. & de Christ. Serv. l. 1. c. 5. ſ De Christ. Serv. l. 1. c. 6. & de Offic . Christ art . 45. t De Christ. Serv. l. 4. c. 11. de Offic. Christ. art . 42. ad Cuteni object . art . 17. u De fide & oper . ad q. ● p. 58. & ad q. 3. p. 60. ● in Notis a● Dial. N. N n. 16. x De Christ . Serv. l. 4. c. ● p. 462. c. 2. & p. 463. c. y De fide & oper . ad q. p. 62. a A sente●tia ex co● promisso aditi appelari non posse , saep● rescriptu● est . Anto● Imp. Cod. l. tit . 55. leg . A sententi● arbitri pa●tium volu●tate electi non appellatur , Jo. Al. dicaeolog● l. 3. c. 55. n. 15. Ab electis judicibus appell●re non putamus lic●re , B●rn . ap 180. b John 9. c Aug. haer . ●2 . d Aug. haer . e Epiphan . haer . 23. f Idem haer . 24. & Aug haer . 4. g Epiph. haer 44. & Aug. haer . 23. h Aug. haer . 59. i Aug. ibid. k Epiph. haer . 66. l Act. 23.8 . m Calv. ad● Psychopann● n In concio●ne coram Jacobo Roge . o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Arist . Topi● l. 8. c. 4. Ex falsis fa● sum , verúm que aliquando sequetur . Ex veris poterit nil nisi vera sequi a Carnali populo licuit in suis factis gloriari , nobis autem non licet nisi in cruce D. N. J. C. b Solùm licet nobis Christi facta narrare , qui omnia opera pro nobis operatus est , & legem implendo pro nobis , cùm non possemus id praestare , Servet . l. 2. de Leg. & Evang . apud Calv. p. 655. col . 1. c Est verbum hoe justificationis juridicum , in quo jure nemo justus efficitur , sed pronunciatur , Socin . de justif . fragm . sect . 1. p. 45. d In hac disputatione non significat justum facere , Idem ibid. e Justificari nihil aliud est , quàm pro justis haberi , De justif . synops . 1. p. 6. Justificat , i. justos pronunciat , De justif . thes . 4. p. 9. Certissimum est justificationem in sacris literis aliud nihil significare quàm justum pronunciare , & pro justo habere , Idem in notis ad Dial. N. N. n. 18. & n. 55. f Autore Dialogi saepius notat , quia justificationem cum vitae sanctimonia sive justitia & sanctitate , quâ quis praeditus est , confundit , Num. 1. n. 18. & n. 31. & n. 46. & n. 55. & n. 59. g Credere Jesum revera esse Christum Dei Filium , &c. non est revera ea fides , quae nos Deo ad vitam aeternam gratos efficit , De fide & oper . quaest . 1. p. 55. Neutrum horum , Credere Jesum esse Messiam , Et verbis ejus fidem adhibere , est fides illa quâ revera justificamur , Ibid. q. 2. p. 57.58 . Fides , quâ credimus Dei promissa esse vera , non est revera ea fides quâ justificamur , In notis ad Dial. n. 16. h Fides , sive obedientia quam Christo praestamus , nec efficiens nec meritoria causa est justificationis atque aeternae salutis , nec eam per se meretur . De justif . Thes . 5. & ad Cuteni object . art . 8. & de fide & oper . q. 4. p. 62. Credere vera esse quae Deus vel Christus dixit , non est fides quâ justificamur . De Christ. Serv. 1.4 . c. 11. p. 554. c. 1. & p. 558. c. 2. i Ex merito ipsorum operum nequaquam justificamur , De justif . Thes . 5. Non sunt meritoria , & suā vi hominem justificantia , De justif . fragm , sect . 7. p. 50. k Nulla esse opera , quae tanti sint , ut propter ipsorum meritum justificari possimus , De justif . fragm . sect . 7. p. 48. l Fides in Christum non propriâ vi justificat , De Christo Servas . l. 4. c. 11. p. 560. c. 1. m Formalis justificatio nostra coram Deo fuit & semper erit remissio peccatorum nostrorum , Socin . de fide & oper . q. 1. p. 56. Justificatio nostra nihil aliud reipsâ est , quàm peccatorum deletio , Ibid . q. 3. p. 60. n Justitiam Paulo nihil esse , quàm remissionē peccatorum Calvin . in Rom. 4.6 . o Posira est omnis justificatio in in remissione peccatorum , Beza de Coena Dom. p. 175. p Justificatio consistit in gratuita remissione peocatorum , Olev . in Rom. 4.6 . q Idem sunt justificatio & remissio peccatorum , Ursin . explic . catech . q. 60. sect . 3. r Idem sunt , remissionem peccatorum consequi , & justificari , Zanch. miscel . l. 2. de remiss . pecc . thes . 10. p. 329. ſ Justitia imputata nihil est aliud quàm remissio peccatorum , Piscat . Thes . vol. 1. loc . 15. thes . 14. t Consistit in remissione , tectione , non-imputatione peccatorum : haec est ejus forma privativa & positiva , Pareus in Rom. 46. observ . 2. Deus proprié justificat , cúm absolvit gratìs , remittens peccata propter meritum Christi , Ibid. ad v. 5. obs . 3. Justificationis causa formalis est remissio peccatorum , Idem cont . Bellarm. de justif . l. 2. c. 1. p. 365. u Justificatio nihil est aliud quàm remissio peccatorum parta per sanguinem Christi , Muscul . in Joan. 3.18 . x Quid aliud est justificatio quàm peccatorum remissio ? Bullinger . in Rom. 4.8 . y Justificatio constat propriè peccatorum remissione , Fox de Christ . gratìs justif . l. 3. p. 383. z Credimus totam nostram justitiam positam esse in peccatorum nostrorum remissione , Confess . Gallicanâ , art . 18. Credimus peccatorum nostrorum remissione unicâ totam nostram justitiam coram Deo contineri , Confess . Belgicâ , art . 23. a Potest Deus de suo jure , quantum velit , dimittere , Socin . de Christo Serv. l. 1. c. 1. p. 4. c. 2. Sicut potuisset homines , licèt peccantes , morti aeternae non mancipare , sic ex illius imperio eximere , & quidem jure , suâ solâ voluntate potest , Ibid. pag. 5. c. 1. b Potuit Deus peccata nobis jure ignoscere , nullâ à quoquam pro ipsis verâ satisfactione acceptâ , Ibid. lib. 3. cap. 1. pag. 306. cap. 1. & pag. 309. cap. 1. c In scripto Poster . ad Tossanum . d In rescript . ad Vorstium . e De satisfactione Christi adv . Socin . c. 3. f In judicio de Grotii libr. G. 2. p. 2. & G. 3. g In Respons . ad judic . Ravensp . cap. 28. h Poterat nos Deus verbo aut nutu redimere , nisi aliter nostrâ causâ visum est , Calv. in Joan . 15.13 . i Si sic justus est Deus , ut sine detrimento justitiae suae misericors esse nequeat ; si sic , inquam , justitiae suae obstrictus est , ut non liceat ipsi , quorum vult misereri & à peccatis absolvere teos , quod tamen permultos sibi principes & magistratus liberè permittere videmus , consequitur , non tantum illi potestatis esse in ipsius creaturas , quantum est homini in suos subditos , quâ re quid potest magìs impium cogitari ? Muscul . in Loc. commun . de justif . c. 3. k Deus servare nos poterat solo suo imperio , peccata simpliciter ex sua misericordia condonando , Zanch. de Incarnat . Christ . l. 2. c. 3. quest . 1. l Though it be not lawfull for a man to justifie the wicked , yet God may do it , that is above all law : and the reason is , because God hath right and power to forgive sinnes , because they are committed chiefly against him . Grineus and Faius , Willet on Rom. 4.5 . quest . 14. n. 2. m Concedimus justitiam punientem peccata , & misericordiam ea condonantem , utramque esse liberrimae Dei voluntatis effectum , Casman . Anti-Socin . part . 2. c. 1. n Restituere five recreare hominem non minùs liberum Deo fuit , quàm creare : peccatum . solo imperio tanquam nubem tollere poterat , Tilen . disput . de Incarn . fil . Dei. o Potuisset omnino Deus primos parentes & omnes homines ex mortis imperio eximere & in gratiam recipere , solâ voluntate citra Mediatoris satisfactionem ullam , nisi priùs & antè protulisset decretum suum comminatorium , Franz . disp . de Sacrif . 14. thes . 63. p Utrumque Deus potuit , & absque ulla satisfactione , & cum satisfactione peccata nobis remittere : de facto tamen eligit hoc posterius , Smigles . de satisfact . Christ. adv . Smalcium cap. 11. q Sine dubio potuit Deus , si sic ei visum fuisset , Adae peccatum , aut ipsi condonare , aut in ipso tantùm ulcisci , posterísque omnibus gratiam salutarem , eo neutiquam obstante , liberè gratificari , Twiss . in Vindiciis Gratiae , Potest . ac Provid . Dei. de Praedest . lib. 1. part . 1. sect . 4. digress . 4. cap. 3. pag. 39. col . 2. r An answer to a Popish Pamphlet , or Articles tending to prove the Protestants Religion to consist of palpable absurdities and notorious errours . A triall of the Romish Clergies Title to the church against A. D. A defence of Mr Perkins his Reformed Catholick , against W B. Runne from Rome , of the necessitie of departure from the Church of Rome . Sermons on part of the first Chapter of S. Johns Gospel . De Reconciliatione peccatoris libri 4.