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Now then, when we think thus of ourselves, having sense thereof then are our thoughts good ones, because according to the Word of God. IGNOR. I will never believe that my heart is thus bad. CHR. Therefore thou never hadst one good thought concerning thyself in thy life. But let me go on.
Thou neither seest thy original nor actual infirmities; but hast such an opinion of thyself, and of what thou dost, as plainly renders thee to be one that did never see a necessity of Christ's personal righteousness to justify thee before God. How, then, dost thou say, I believe in Christ? IGNOR. I believe well enough for all that. CHR. How dost thou believe?
Except the Word of God beareth witness in this matter, other testimony is of no value. IGNOR. But is it not a good heart that hath good thoughts? and is not that a good life that is according to God's commandments?
IGNOR. As other good people do, said he. CHR. But what have you to show at that gate, that may cause that the gate should be opened to you? IGNOR. I know my Lord's will, and I have been a good liver; I pay every man his own; I pray, fast, pay tithes, and give alms, and have left my country for whither I am going.
IGNOR. Gentlemen, ye be utter strangers to me, I know you not; be content to follow the religion of your country, and I will follow the religion of mine. I hope all will be well. And as for the gate that you talk of, all the world knows that that is a great way off of our country.
IGNOR. I believe that Christ died for sinners; and that I shall be justified before God from the curse, through His gracious acceptance of my obedience to His law. Or thus, Christ makes my duties, that are religious, acceptable to His Father, by virtue of His merits; and so shall I be justified. CHR. Let me give an answer to this confession of thy faith.
As the Word passeth a judgment upon our heart, so it passeth a judgment upon our ways; and when our thoughts of our hearts and ways agree with the judgment which the Word giveth of both, then are both good, because agreeing thereto. IGNOR. Make out your meaning.
IGNOR. What! would you have us trust to what Christ, in His own person, has done without us? This conceit would loosen the reins of our lust, and tolerate us to live as we list; for what matter how we live, if we may be justified by Christ's personal righteousness from all, when we believe it?
But why, or by what, art thou persuaded that thou hast left all for God and Heaven? IGNOR. My heart tells me so. IGNOR. This is spoken of an evil heart, but mine is a good one. CHR. But how dost thou prove that? IGNOR. It comforts me in hopes of Heaven.
CHR. That may be through its deceitfulness; for a man's heart may minister comfort to him in the hopes of that thing, for which he yet has no ground to hope. IGNOR. But my heart and life agree together, and therefore my hope is well grounded. CHR. Who told thee that thy heart and life agree together? IGNOR. My heart tells me so. CHR. Ask my fellow if I be a thief! Thy heart tells thee so!
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