Antinomianism


Good works are now as necessary under the covenant of grace, as ever they were under the covenant of works; but only to other ends and purposes. The covenant of works required them, that we might be justified by them; but the covenant of grace requires them, that we might be justified by faith. Let none think, that the covenant of grace gives any dispensation from working; or that an airy and speculative faith and a barren and empty profession are enough to answer the terms of this covenant: "Can faith save him?" and yet what other is the faith of many professors? Should I bid them show me their faith by their works, I much doubt that, besides phrases and canting, we should have but very slender evidences of their Christianity; and yet these men are very apt to condemn others for carnal legalists and low attainers. But let such notionists flatter themselves as they please, yet, certainly, they will find such low attainers, who work out their salvation with fear and trembling, more exalted saints in glory than those who think both working, fear, and trembling too slavish and servile, and below the free spirit of the gospel—Hopkins