and affectionate counsel we may expect, and shall find, in epistles written in these circumstances; but in vain shall we look for any thing to decide "doubt"ful disputations;" nor could it reasonably be expected. CLEMENT OF ROME, A CONTEMPORARY OF THE APOSTLES. Cotelerious's Edition, 1784. P. cclxxxviii. 1. 9. 'Let us, &c.'1 • The grace of ' repentance." Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." Clement could not mean, that God had actually given all men. grace, special grace, to repent; for in that case all would "repent, and do works meet for repentance:" but that he had, by the gospel, opened a way, for men of every nation, description, and character, to return unto him by repentance; and had given them abundant encouragement so to do. And this we also believe. God has given, &c.' Nothing then is wanting, to any man, except a willing mind, Probably had Clement been asked, he would have said, This willing mind, is the effect of special grace.' This, however, his Lordship has, in good measure ་ ''Let us look steadfastly at the blood of Christ, and see how precious his blood is in the sight of God; which being shed for our salvation, has obtained the grace of repentance for all the ' world. Let us search into all ages, and learn that our Lord has ' in every one of them given opportunity for repentance, to all ' such as were willing to turn unto him. Vol. i. p. 152.' 1 Acts xi. 18. conceded, in a passage to which reference has repeatedly been made.! P. cclxxxviii, last line. Let us, &c.** • Page 61, Refutation. ? Those Let us then hold fast to those, to whom grace is given by God. Let us put on concord, being humble, temperate, ab⚫ staining from all whispering and detraction, justified by actions and not by words. Let us then hold fast to the blessing of God, and consider what are the ways of the blessing; let us <examine those things which have happened from the beginning. For what was our father Abraham blessed? Was it not, because through faith he wrought righteousness and truth? Isaac, knowing with confidence what was to come, cheerfully sub'mitted to be a sacrifice. Jacob, with humility departed out of his own country, flying from his brother, and went to Laban, and served him, and the scepter of the twelve tribes of Israel < was given to him.-They were therefore all glorified and mag· nified, not for their own sake, or for their works, the righteousness which they had wrought, but through his will. And 6 we therefore being called by his will, in Christ Jesus, are justi'fied, not by ourselves, or by our own wisdom, or knowledge, or piety, or the works which we have wrought in holiness of heart, but by the faith by which almighty God has justified all men from the beginning, to whom be glory for ever and ever; Amen. What then shall we do, brethren? Shall we cease from good works, and lay aside charity? God forbid that this should take place in us; but let us hasten with cheerfulness and alacrity to perform every good work.-Let us 'observe that all just men were adorned with good works. And even the Lord himself, having adorned himself with works, rejoiced. Having therefore his example, let us fulfil his will; let us work the work of righteousness with all our strength. We must therefore be ready in well-doing: for from thence all things are derived. For he foretells to us, behold the Lord cometh, and his reward is before his face, to render to every one according to his work. He warns us therefore beforehand, with all his heart, for this purpose, that we should not be slothful or negligent in well-doing, Vol. i. p. 165, &c.' 'to whom grace is given by God.' This is not anticalvinistick. Justified by actions, not by words.'. It is manifest, that man's justification before God, is not here meant; but the justification of a professed christian, as to the sincerity of his profession, in the sense, in which James uses the term. As, however, his Lordship does not hold justification before God, either by our words or works, but allows, that it is of grace, in Christ, and by faith; if another interpretation be put upon the words, they will militate as much against his opinion as against the Calvinists. Was it not, because through 'faith he wrought righteousness and truth?' Thus Abraham shewed his faith by his works: and our tenet is, that a living faith may as certainly be 'known by good works, as a tree is discerned by its 'fruit.'-' But through his will:' as works had been entirely excluded; this is more Calvinistick, than if it had been more accurately stated, to be by grace 'through faith' for his will can here mean nothing but the sovereign appointment of God.-No moderate Calvinist scruples earnestly to give the exhortations, contained in the other parts of this quotation. In Clement, therefore, as far as the quotations here made are concerned, there is nothing in direct opposition,' or even in apparent opposition, "to the tenets of Calvinism.' JUSTIN MARTYR, 140. P. ccxc. 1. 18. We are, &c."He accepts those 'We are persuaded that God does not stand in need of the 1 To only, who, &c.' 'Do any, except true believers, answer this character? Formed every thing out of shapeless matter, &c.' This seems to imply, that the shapeless matter was not created by God. 6 follow those things, which are pleasing to him, I through the powers of reason, with which he has 'endowed us, this persuades and leads to faith.' Whatever was the intended meaning of this obscure sentence, it certainly is more allied to the pagan philosophy of Justin's former days; than to his newly embraced, and imperfectly understood, christianity. Nor does it appear, that it is more inconsistent with the creed of a Calvinist; than with that of any other christian, who holds, that faith is the belief of the word of God; and believing in Christ, according to that word: and that leaning to human reason, and to our own understanding, are are ut ' material offerings of men, seeing that he is himself the Giver of all things; but we have been taught, and know, and believe, that he accepts those, only who imitate his own good qualities, temperance, justice, and benevolence, and the other attributes ' of God, to whom we give no epithet. And as we have been taught that he, being good, formed every thing out of shapeless matter for the sake of men, whom we are assured he would have thought worthy of his society, to reign with him free from corruption and suffering, if by their actions they had 'shewn themselves worthy of his determination. For as in the beginning he created them out of nothing; in the same manner " we think that he would have blessed them with immortality, ' and his own society, as a reward for choosing what was pleasing to him. For our original existence was not owing to ourselves; but to follow those things which are pleasing to him, through the powers of reason with which he has endowed us, this persuades us and leads us to faith.' terly inconsistent, with receiving the word of God in meekness, and with the humble docility of a little child. In Justin, the following passage succeeds, that which is here animadverted upon. And we think, that it is for the advantage of all men, that they should not be hindered from learning these things; but should be excited to them by exhor'tation. For that, which human laws have not been 'able to accomplish, these things the divine word 'concerning them had effected; unless the evil 'demons had scattered abroad many lies, and atheistical accusations; taking as an ally the evil concupiscence as to all things, and to all varied evil, which is in each person by nature. Of which crimes 'none is present among us.' P. ccxci. 1. 14. Il'e maintain, &c.' that it is 'Can escape God. (Ως λαθεῖν Θεον αδύνατον είναι; impossible he should hide himself from God,') according to the merit of his actions, (Κατ' αξίαν των paw.) If this be understood strictly, it is as contrary to his Lordship's avowed sentiments, as to the tenets of the Calvinists, in respect of those who shall be saved and all agree that the wicked will be punished according to the merits of their actions. P. ccxci. 1. 18. God, &c.' the Calvinists, or against them, This is either for according as repent ''We maintain that no wicked or covetous person, no traitor, no virtuous person, can escape God; and that every one will go ' into everlasting punishment or salvation, according to the merit of his actions. P. 14,' 24 God foreknows some who would be saved by repentance, f and some, perhaps, who are not yet born. P. 46.' |