Sect. 12. — That distinction a mean between Legalism and Antinomianism.
Sect. 12. — That distinction a mean between Legalism and Antinomianism.
Nom. Sir, your answer to his question also answered me, and gave me full satisfaction in various points about which my friend Antinomista and I have had many a wrangling fit. For I used to affirm tooth and nail (as men use to say) that believers are under the law, and are not delivered from it; and that they sin, and God sees it, and is angry with them, and afflicts them for it. And therefore they ought to humble themselves, and mourn for their sins, and confess them, and crave pardon for them. Yet truly, I must confess that I did not understand what I said, nor what I affirmed; and the reason was because I did not know the difference between the law, as it is the Law of Works, and as it is the Law of Christ.
Ant. And believe me, sir, I used to affirm, as earnestly as he, that believers are delivered from the law, and therefore do not sin; and therefore God can see no sin in them; and therefore he is not angry with them, nor does he afflict them for their sin. Therefore they have no need to humble themselves, mourn or confess their sins, or beg pardon for them. Believing this to be true, I could not conceive how the contrary could also be true. But now I plainly see that by means of your distinguishing between the law, as it is the Law of Works, and the law, as it is the Law of Christ, there is truth in both. Therefore, friend Nomista, whenever you or any other man affirms hereafter that believers are under the law and sin; and God sees it, and is angry with them, and chastises them for it; and that they ought to humble themselves, mourn, weep, and confess their sins, and beg pardon for them — if you mean it only as they are under the Law of Christ, then I will agree with you, and never contradict you again.
Nom. And truly, friend Antinomista, if you or any other man affirms hereafter that believers are delivered from the law, and do not sin, and God sees no sin in them, nor is angry with them, nor afflicts them for their sins, and that they have no need to humble themselves, mourn, confess, or crave pardon for their sins — if you mean it only as they are not under the Law of Works, I will agree with you, and never contradict you again.
Evan. I rejoice to hear you speak these words to each other: and truly, now I hope that you two will come back from both your extremes, and meet my neighbour Neophytus in the golden mean — having, as the apostle says, “the same love, being of one accord, and of one mind.”
Nom. Sir, for my own part, I thank the Lord that now I plainly see that I have exceedingly erred in seeking to be justified, “as it were, by the works of the law.” Yet I could never be persuaded of it before today; and indeed I would not have been persuaded now, if you had not so plainly and fully handled this threefold law. Truly, sir, I now unfeignedly desire to renounce myself, and all that I have ever done, and by faith adhere only to Jesus Christ; for now I see that he is all in all.Eph 1.23 Oh, that the Lord would enable me so to do! And I beseech you, sir, pray for me.
Ant. And truly, sir, I must confess, that I have erred as much on the other hand; for I have been so far from seeking to be justified by the works of the law, that I have regarded neither law nor works. But now that I see my error, I purpose to reform it, God willing.
Evan. The Lord grant that you may.