To those who love the words

I would, secondly, add a few words to you who are fond of these expressions. And permit me to ask, do I not allow enough. What can any reasonable man desire more. I allow the whole sense which you contend for, that we have every blessing through the righteousness of God our Savior. I allow you to use whatever expressions you choose, and that a thousand times over, only guarding them against that dreadful abuse, which you are as deeply concerned to prevent as I am. I myself frequently use the expression in question, imputed righteousness, and often put this and the like expressions into the mouth of a whole congregation. But allow me liberty of conscience in this. Allow me the right of private judgment. Allow me to use it just as often as I judge it preferable to any other expression. And do not be angry with me if I cannot judge it proper to use any one expression every two minutes. You may, if you please, but do not condemn me because I do not. Do not, for this, represent me as a Roman Catholic, or as an enemy to the righteousness of Christ. Bear with me, as I do with you. Else how shall we fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). Do not make tragic outcries, as though I were subverting the very foundations of Christianity. Whoever does this does me much wrong. The Lord lay it not to his charge. I lay, and have done for many years, the very same foundation with you. And indeed other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, even Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). I build inward and outward holiness on it, as you do, even by faith. Do not therefore suffer any distaste or unkindness, no, nor any shyness or coldness in your heart. If there were a difference of opinion, where is our religion if we cannot think and let think. What hinders but that you may forgive me as easily as I may forgive you. How much more when there is only a difference of expression. No, hardly so much as that. All the dispute being only whether a particular mode of expression shall be used more or less frequently. Surely we must earnestly desire to contend with one another before we can make this a bone of contention. Oh, let us not, any more, for such very trifles as these, give our common enemies room to blaspheme. Rather let us at length cut off occasion from those who seek occasion. Let us at length, oh why was it not done before, join hearts and hands in the service of our great Master. As we have one Lord, one faith, one hope of our calling (Ephesians 4:4-5), let us all strengthen one another's hands in God, and with one heart and one mouth declare to all mankind, The Lord our righteousness.