O that they were wise! O that they would consider, and lay to
heart the things that truly and substantially make for their lasting
peace!
Two things are to be considered; the doctrine they taught, and the
example they led among all people. I have already touched upon their
fundamental principle, which is as the corner-stone of their fabric: and,
indeed, to speak eminently and properly, their characteristic, or main
distinguishing point or principle, viz. the light of Christ within, as
God's gift for man's salvation. This, I say, is as the root of the
goodly tree of doctrines that grew and branched out from it, which I
shall now mention in their natural and experimental order.
First, repentance from dead works to serve the living God. Which
comprehends three operations. First, a sight of sin. Secondly, a sense
and godly sorrow for sin. Thirdly, an amendment for the time to come.
This was the repentance they preached and pressed, and a natural result
from the principle they turned all people unto. For of light came sight;
and of sight came sense and sorrow; and of sense and sorrow came
amendment of life. Which doctrine of repentance leads to justification;
that is, forgiveness of the sins that are past, through Christ the alone
propitiation, and the sanctification or purgation, of the soul from the
defiling nature and habits of sin present, by the Spirit of Christ in the
soul; which is justification in the complete sense of that word:
comprehending both justification from the guilt of the sins that are
past, as if they had never been committed, through the love and mercy of
God in Christ Jesus; and the creature's being made inwardly just, through
the cleansing and sanctifying power and Spirit of Christ revealed in the
soul; which is commonly called sanctification.
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