Anonymous on Article XVIII: Of obtaining eternal Salvation only by the Name of Christ

So that our Church does not scruple to anathematize and curse those that pretend to be saved by any other Way or Name, than that of our Lord Jesus Christ ; little dreaming that soon after, some would arise amongst us, who deny the Lord that bought them, and yet

pretend mightily for Moderation, that they might skreen themselves

under that Pretence from the Observation and Censures of others. In order therefore to explain this Article unto you, I must premise, That our Church curses none but those who deny the Foundation of our Faith, the Lord Jesus Christ, and expect to be saved by their own Way of Religion, and the Law of Nature. For if others own the Lord Jesus, and hope for Salvation by him; however they

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116 An EXPOSITION ef the Article may be mistaken in some other Points, she curses them not, but XVIII. leaves them to stand or fall to their own Master. Admittin

—◻ this to be understood in the Sequel of this Discourse, I shall oblerve upon this Article, | .

I. That there are some who presume to say, That every Mari

shall be saved by the Law, or Se&, which he professerh ;, pro-

vided he frame his Life according to that Law, and the Light of Nature. - 5

II. That they also are to be had accursed, that are of this Dpini-

[…]

III. The Reason is given to warrant this Anathema; For Hol

Scripture doth set out unto us, only the Name of Jesus Christ,

whereby Men must be saved.

I will insist upon these Particulars in the Explanation of this Article.

L There are some who presume to say, That every Man shall be saved by the Law, or Se& which he professeth, provided he frames

his Life according to it, and the Light of Nature. There were

such in those Days, against whom this Article was penn’d ; and there are such risen up amongst our selves, who equally commend

all Religions, and hope the best of all Seas, when they live ho- nestly in the World, and conform to the best of their Knowledge, or behave themselves according to the Law, or Light of Nature.

This is become a Maxim for Moderation, and a Principle by which some distinguish themselves in their Conversations ; they are grown

very tender towards all Religions, and could be easily persuaded that God also is pleas d with the Variety of Sects, as he is with the dif-

ferent Sorts of Creatures. For it seems, some Opinions attend the

Complexion and Composure of the Body; and there will be diffe-

rent Sects, as long as there are different Faces, Sentiments, and

Consciences. But are these Men aware of the Consequences of this

Latitude? Do they know what they say, when they assert the Sal- vation of Men of all Sects and Laws ? It may be indeed that they

only entertain’d this Opinion in Favour of Dissenting Consciences.: But our Church allows those that hold the Foundation, to answer for themselves, but curses those of this Latitude, because of the

dismal Consequences of it ; for if Men of any Se&, and any Law, may be saved, then they may be saved without Christ ; then there was no Need of his Incarnation, Doctrine, or Passion, and Inter- cession: Then the Followers of Mahomet are in as safe a Condition,

as the Followers of Jesus : Then the Religious amongst the Barba-

rians, are as much in the Right as Christians : then all the Devour . amongst Heathens are in as fair a way to Happiness, as those that have a Revelation for their Guide : Nay, then the Theists amongst

our selves, that oppose all reveal’d Religion , despise our Saviour, ri- dicule his Worship, and set up the Light of Nature in Opposition

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Thirty Nine Ax TIC I Es.

to the Holy Scriptures, are good Men and Rational, and in as

hopeful a Condition as any other: Nay the very Atheist , that takes his Reason for his Guide, and pretends to live up to the Light of it, tho’ he says, There is no God, indulges his Lusts, and imitates the brute Beasts, is then in a fair way of being happy. These are the Consequences of this Opinion , which pleads for

the Salvation of all Sects and Religions in the World. And though tis possible, the Men of this excessive Charity and Moderation,

are not so well aware of these Consequences , and may delign there- by to favour some amongst us ; yet it must be granted, that he that

allows all Religions upon this Principle, does in effect acknowledge,

that Men may shift well enough without a Saviour in another

World, and that Salvation may be had by any other without

him.

This our Church looks upon to be fo very dangerous to the Souls

Men, as not fit to be admitted in a Christian Society, or to be born with amongst us, without a particular Censure. For whilst other Opinions are taken up about Principles of lesser Moment, this strikes at the very Foundation of our Faith, pulls out the Corner Stone of the Building, and as well maintains the Safety of all Fews, Turks, and Infidels, as gives License to any Impostor to invent and publish new Opinions, new Laws of Religion, and to gather new Seas and Followers. For provided they live up to that Law which is publish’d, and act according to the Light of Nature so called,

they may be saved. This is fo contrary to Revelation, that let the

Patrons of it appear never fo zealous or charitable, I make no doubt, but one Text of St. Paul may confute them, if they will admit his Authority to be of any Moment with them. For other Foun- dation can no Man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Chr ist. […] a

II. They are to be accursed that are of this Opinion, be they

Article XVIII. RS

1 Cor. 3.þ. //

who they will, according to the Censures of our Church. Let them

pretend a great Concern for the Welfare of Men, a real Charity for Souls, a tender Regard for Conscience : Let them signalize themselves for Moderation, and pass for Men of great Latitude , and large Souls ; if they maintain this Principle, our Church pronounces a Curse against them : Nay, if they shrewd themselves under her Profession, and hold Communion with her, she does not scruple to say, They also are to be accursed. For as Revelation is true, we are taught by it to expect Salvation in no other Way, than by Jesus Christ ; and whoever teaches another Way , pretends to be wiser than God, and to know better than he himself, how Salvation may be obtain’d, how his Mercy 1s to be dispens’d, his Pardon granted, and

his Favour given: These Men can inform us (if we will credit them)

how Heaven, and the Glory of it, may be gain’d and posless’d without God’s Consent, Concurrence, or Approbation. For though he tells us, that his Son is © the Way, the Truth, and the Life“; they say, there is no need of his Son. Though he promises Forgive- ness upon our Repentance and Belief in his Son; they allow Repen-

tance

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120 An EXPOSITION of the

Article XVIIL

Gal. 1.

Gal. 1. 9.

ä ———̃

tance to be saving without him, and expose Belief in him as: un-

necessary ; though he threatens Damnation to all that are Impeni-

tent and Unbelievers, they regard not his Threatning ; but declare, that let them be of any Se, if they live up to their Reason, they may escape. | 15 Are not these therefore worthy of a Curse, who thus contradi& the Revelation of God > Do not they deserve to be stigmatiz’d, who at once make void the Gospel, and give the Lye to the Word of God? Or can their Charity be well-grounded, who would seem to have more Compashon than God himself, and promise Mercy to those

that he threatens with his Wrath, and entitle those to Salvation,

which he declares shall be damned ? Or is their Moderation to be allowed, who make void, as much as in them lies, that Revelation which was confirm’d with Miracles, and published by the Son of God; and set up their own Fancy in the Room of it? But let them, be as moderate as they will, I would fain know by what Law we shall be judged in the Great Day; by what Principle we shall stand or fall before the Divine Tribunal ; by the Gospel of Jesus, or by

their Principles? For if their Fancies will not stand them in any

| Stead, then they are not to be trusted. Now I must therefore en-

quire by what Law we shall then be judged, acquitted, or con- demned : If by the Gospel, then it is manifest, that their Principle (as fashionable as it is now) will be out of Date then, and that if none can be sav’d, but those that obey the Gospel of Jesus; they deserve to be cursed, who draw the Souls of Men into such apparent

Hazards, and promise Salvation to those that shall not obtain it.

But our Church pronounces no more against them , than what St. Pau hath taught us, who expresly says, Though we or an Angel

from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you , than that which

we hade preached, let him be accursed.

And if he wade no Scruple to curse himself, or an Angel from

Heaven, that preach’d another Gospel, another Way to Heaven, or Way of serving God, than what he had preached by Jesus Christ ; our Church must be justified when she curses those that approve of another Way , and recommend themselves to the World by the plau- sible Insinuations of Charity and Moderation; especially consider- ing that St. Paul repeats the same again. As I said before, so say I now again, If any Man preach any other Gospel unto you, than that ye have receiv’d, let him be accursed. 9 91

III. The Reason is here given to warrant this Anathema, which is this; The Holy Scripture doth set out unto us only the Name of

Jesus, whereby we must be sav’d. And as that declares, that Jesus

is the Saviour of the World, tis great Rashness in any to despise him, and to trust to any other Way, than what he hath establish’d. For ‘tis only Revelation can acquaint us with the Will of God in

this Point. And our Church looks upon the Holy Scripture to

contain that Revelation, or the full and compleat Discovery of God’s Mind concerning our Souls; and therefore we believe that the Holy Scripture can make us wise unto Salvation“, and can guide us to

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Thirty Nine ARTICLES.

Life and Happiness, and that the same Jesus the Hol Scripture sets

forth, and recommends to our Belief, is Lord and Christ, the Son

of God and Saviour of all Men, and that we can have no Par-

“Andchs XVIII. Vo 4

don but in his Name, no Favour but by his Hands, no Acceptance

but upon his Intercession, and no Salvation but by his Merits and

Power: And as we judge him to be © the Way, the Truth, and

the Life” , we own that there is no other Way but by him, no saving Truth but what he publish’d, and no Eternal Life to

be had, but what he gives; and therefore our Church had great Reason to pronounce this Curse 15 the Enemies of our Savi- our, who dare equal the falsest Prophets to him, and represent any Way as saving as his. St. Peter boldly asserts the contrary,

when in his Justification he tells the Jews ; This is the Stone, which a. 4. 11,12, was set at nought by you Builders, which is become the Head of

the Corner : Neither is there Salvation in any other; for there is

none other Name under Heaven given amongst Men, whereby we must

be […] 2

rom this Account of the Article, I must desire you to con- sider, that the Dissenters subscribe this Article; That the true Sons of our Church are hereby warranted to oppose this growing Opi-

mon; That it is incumbent upon us to keep to the Senti nents

of the Church ; And that allowing as much Moderation and

Charity to those that hold the Foundation, as can be desired, we

cannot be blam’d. _ |

1. The Dissenters subscribe this Article; as much as they are for

Moderation and Forbearance in other Respects, they join with

us in this Curse, and declare as well as we, that they are to be

held accursed that presume to say , That every Man shall be saved

by the Law or Se& which he professes, and (to do them right) stand up for the Honour of our Lord, and expe& Salvation by

him. But then I could wish that they were aware of those Men, who under the Pretence of Moderation , corrupt the Age, and cry up that Latitude, which approves of all Religions. For it is apparent, that under these Notions, the Theists abound amongst

us; reveal’d Religion is spoken against, and our common Lord is

vilify’d. Though such Notions were wont to travel in Secret, they are now publish’d to the World, and under the Authority of Reason , would challenge the Approbation of the World: And

therefore it is incumbent: upon all, that have subscribed this Ar-

tide, and pronounced this Curse against them, to be upon their

Guard, and not so much as to countenance any , that covertly propagate this Opinion, though they seem to be most forward and zealous for Moderation. For can any true Christian forbear

to speak, when our Holy Religion is spoken against , and the

Author of it expos’d as counterfeit > Who will have all Men to

be saved, and to come to the Knowledge of the Truth : For there is

5 God, and one Mediator between God and Men, the Man Christ Festus.

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2 Joh. 10.

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threatens Chfistiaity it self. We may haye heard how bold A-

theifts are against the Living God, and commerid those chat rebuke them. Shafl we not be as zealous against Theists, that ownia! God, and deny his Son? Shall we not ręprove tllem, when they plead for Moderation, and put them in Mind of this Cürse that is in Force against them? Can they pretend to Charity who deny their Lord that bought them? Or shall they pass for Neligtoos, who expect to be sav’d without him? May they pass for Harmless, that look d pon Mahometans to be in as salvable æ Condition as Ohristians, and would make you believe, that any Sect is as good às Yours, and any Law as good as the Gospel ? If we love our Cfrurch, Anathema, which she hath pronounc’d against such Men. And let them appear in any Shape, or under any cn ; let them be Time- Servers, or MachiroebÞolitivians it they deny our Common Lord,

and refuse to be fav’d by his Blood ; if they commend any other

Way of Worship, and entail Salvation upöff it; let them be ac- cursed till they fee into their Mistake, submit tour Lord, and’ac-

knowledge their Repentance. For “with, Gd“ there is n Respect

[…]

And he that denieth Father and Son, how can he be afe br happy?

Or how can he be credited, or trusted amongst us? When such Men

fawn’d upon the’ Christians in St. John’s Time; he advises, not to meddle with them, or to shew them any Coumenance. , there

FR 1 4 2 9 71 > 3 $ . ; . 5 come any unto you, and bring not This Doctrine, veceive him not anto your House, neither bid him God speed. OO

3. Allowing as much Moderation and Charity to those that hold the Foundation, and hope for Salvation by Jesus, as can be desired, we cannot be blam’d for cursing those that lay another Foundation, and publifn another Way to Heaven. For as there is but one Faith, one Baptism, one Lord, and one God, the Father of us afl; we must speak for this Faith, must plead for this Lord, and must vindi- cate the Revelation of this One Eternal God, by which he would have all Men saved, and come to the Knowledge of his Son. And if any think that our Zeal is too hot, which is diseovered in the Be- half of these Truths, and that we ought not te be fo forward in pronouncing Curses; let them know, that this is the Voice of our Church, and that it is judged to be so reasonable, that the Dissenters pronounce the same with us; and that it is the Duty of every Chri- stian to hold the Foundation, to keep to Jesus Christ. Let Atheists, Theists, and Machiavels, plead what they can to the contrary; let them cry aloud for Charity, and talk of Moderation: For is this their Principle or not? May any be saved in their own Way, with- out Jesus Christ, or no ? If they think they may, they are already under the Curse, and no Charity can lighten it, or Moderation take

it off; not all their Wheedling can alter it, or Flattery free them

from

we must justify her

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Thirty Nine AR TICLES.

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from it: For if they deny our Lord, they are accutsed; and none can help it.

When any therefore plead for Charity or Moderation, consider who they are, what Religion they profess, and what Design they have. For if they hold the Foundation, Charity is due to them, no Man denies it, let them enjoy their Conscience till our Lord comes. But if they deny the F oundation, what Right have they to that Charity they plead for? Or what Good will Moderation do them ? For unless they return, they are, and will be cursed. The most that we can do for such, is, to pray to God for them, that they may see into their Error, and own the Lord that died for them ; that the Curse may be taken off, and that they may be blessed : But if they persist in their Error, as © there is no Peace for the Wicked”, there can be no Blessing for them. Thou shalt break them with a Rod of Iron, thou shalt dash them in Pieces like a Potter’s Vessel,

Ly: ARTI-

Article g XVIII.

Pl. 2. 9.

ho of

Article XIX.

iy 124 ar EXPOSITIO N of the

Marin 1 » RE

Accs II. Latter Part of the 47th Verse.

And the Lozd added to the Church daily, such ; n as should be saved. P 5 15

3 | HEN the Christian Church began, it consisted of our Savi-

our and his Apostles; soon increased with Evangelists and Believers; and after his Resurrection, and the miraculous

Descent of the Holy Ghost, it grew apace , became Thousands, too

many to meet together in one Place. And the Loꝛd added to the Church daily, such as should be saved. Which may point