law, and never justify the finner in any way that shall reflect the leaft reproach upon it, as the rule of his moral government. And was this principle carried through all our reasonings upon this fubject, it would effectually guard against some mistakes, which I apprehend to be of a dangerous nature, clear off every embaraffment, and fix our eye at once upon him, who is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. It were ftrange indeed, if the gofpel fhould know no way of pardon and mercy, but at the expence of the law. IN tranfcribing thefe difcourfes for the prefs, I have taken the liberty to express myself a little more fully, than there was room for in the pulpit, upon one or two points, that have been the matter of much strife and angry debate among us. But I hope every thing of this nature has been attended to in that fpirit which becomes the gofpel; I am fure it has been without the leaft defign of giving offence to any. All pal All I aimed at was, in as plain terms, and as fhort a compafs as I could, to explain and establish what I take to be the true Scripture-doctrine of Juftification, and of importance in it. I have likewife endeavoured to place in a proper light fome particular paffages of fcripture, which are of frequent confideration in the prefent fubject. And as this is the principle occafion of fome marginal notes, which are added here and there, I hope I need make no apology for them; though I am afraid it will want a great one, that thefe, with fome other enlargements, which are wrought into the body of this work, have fwelled it fo much beyond what was at first defigned. I have only to add, that whoever shall caft their eye over the following pages, will foon obferve with what pleasure I sometimes take leave to trace the footsteps of that truly great man, the venerable Dr. OWEN, who has treated this fubject with that learning and judgment, which are peculiar to himself, and whofe name, I hope will 1 will be ever dear in your Lecture: But where I am particularly indebted to him or any other of our writers, I have taken care to own my obligations; though it is poffible I may fometimes have fallen into the fame train of thoughts with others, who have before me in this argument, gone without being aware of it; and perhaps in a fubject that has been fo much laboured, it was hardly poffible always to avoid it. SUCH as they are, I now fubmit the following difcourfes to your candour and acceptance and as they are made thus public at the request of your committee, as far as they may be of ufe to form any into the spirit and obedience of the gospel, and establish them in that doctrine, which was the glory of the Reformation, and is the great toundation of our hopes, I trust my ends are answered. With this view I recommend them, and you with them, to the favour and bleffing of God: whilst at the fame time I earnestly entreat your continu ed ! ed prayers, that I may with faithfulness fulfil the miniftry committed to me, and my felf reap all the advantages of an intereft in those precious and important truths, which I would recommend to the esteem and regard of others. I am, GENTLEMEN, Your Affectionate And most Humble Servant, RICHARD RAWLIN. SCRIP |