Page:Man of Dunse.pdf/9

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
(9)

mands upon their Maker, by Virtue of a Will where they are all particularly mentioned as Heirs. In this case the Title of Christ's Enemies, to eternal Life is as well founded, as that of his Friends; and Unbelievers in their unregenerated State are warranted to come to Christ as Heirs, who have a legal Right to make Demands, and to put in their Claims for eternal Life, and tell him, Pardon is mine, I Claim it, I demand it as my own; and the Executor is obliged to answer their Demands, and give out their Legacies. Arminus was a perfect Child for contriving a self-righteous Plan of Happiness to Mr Boston. According to Mr Boston every Sinner is born an Heir of eternal Life, and has a Right to Claim the Inheritance. Arminus says a Sinner must Work for Heaven: Mr Boston says they must demand it, and Claim it because it is theirs. Arminus's Sinner can only approach God with Confidence when his Work is done, which never happens;—but Mr Boston's Sinner comes upon his Maker with peremptory Demands as a privileged Heir. He has no Reason to say, Lord be merciful to me a Sinner; but to say, I come to ask my Right according to Law: My Name is in Christ's Will, and I insist upon my Legacy. Let the Reader only but consider which of the two Schemes is the most self righteous one. If according to Mr Boston's Scheme all Sinners of Adam's Race are included in Christ's last Will, and Christ is the Executor of his own Testament, what is the Reason that all Men are not saved; for it only de-pends