A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the…

Sixthly, By faith we continue in this blessed state, in sweet peace and fellowship with God. We can never take the eye from Christ, but immediately the remembrance of former sins doth trouble and vex the conscience: and daily weaknesses and infirmities will breed no small disturbance, if we do not sue forth a daily pardon. Therefore as we believe to Justification, so must we continue in believing for the actual pardon of our daily trespasses. The Apostle saith,¹ God justifieth the ungodly: but by ungodly in that sentence of Paul, he is meant, who doth not bring his works or merits, nor look to his graces, qualities, acts or virtues in the matter of Justification: but doth bewail his impiety, and fly to the throne of grace for pardon, being convinced of guiltiness. Thus Abraham was all his time comprehended in this Catalogue, ⟨p. 229⟩and is made by the Apostle, as a perpetual, so a principal instance of that final resolution:² Therefore we conclude, that a man is justified by faith without the works of the Law. For if believing in him that justifieth the ungodly, was imputed for righteousness unto Abraham, after he had been for a long time more righteous then the ordinary sort of Gods Saints or chosen, Abraham all this while unfeignedly believed himself to be a sinner, no way justified in himself, but seeking to be justified by him, who if he show not mercy to sinners, whilst they be sinners, all mankind should perish utterly. The drift and scope of Paul in the third and fourth to the Romans is only this: That although men may be truly just and holy in respect of others, and rich in all manner of works, as Abraham was thus far known and approved, not by men only, but by God: yet when they appear before Gods Tribunal, who best knows as well the imperfection, as the truth of their integrity, they still acknowledge themselves to be unprofitable servants, always praying, Lord, forgive us our sins, and be merciful to our offences. So that all men, even the most holy are sinners in themselves, and in the sight of God in the Apostles sense, and are justified by grace not of debt, after the infusion of supernatural holiness.

Sixtly, By faith we continue in this blessed state, in sweet peace and fellowship with God. We can neuer take the eye from Christ, but immediately the remembrance of former sinnes doth trouble and vexe the conscience: and daily weaknesses and infirmities will breed no small disturbance, if we doe not sue forth a daily pardon. Therefore as we belieue to Iustification, so must we continue in belieuing for the actuall pardon of our daily trespasses. The Apostle saith,