An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches

§. 53. If men understood how atheological and perilous it is to conceit, that either Faith or any thing of ours, (no though we were innocent,) is any proper efficient Cause of God's own internal acts in our Justification, and would understand that ⟨p. 252⟩all can be no more than dispositio receptiva, which Dr. Twice calls causa dispositiva, a mere receptive Aptitude, which is but the Qualification causae materialis, that is, of the Subject to be justified, it would presently lead them out of their vain Contention about Faith and Gospel-Obedience herein, and show them how each in several respects and instances qualify Man for the beginning or continuance of Justification, or for Right to Glory.

§. 53. If men understood how atheological and perilous it is to conceit, that either Faith or any thing of ours, (no though we were innocent,) is any proper efficient Cause of God's own internal acts in our Justification, and would understand that ⟨p. 252⟩all can be no more than dispositio receptiva, which Dr. Twisse calls causa dispositiva, a meer receptive Aptitude, which is but the Qualification causae materialis, that is, of the Subject to be justified, it would presently lead them out of their vain Contention about Faith and Gospel-Obedience herein, and shew them how each in several respects and instances qualifie Man for the beginning or continuance of Justification, or for Right to Glory.

§. 54. It seemeth strange to some, to find the whole Old Testament, and all Christ's Sermons, and all the other Apostles, inculcating inherent and performed Righteousness, as that which Men must be judged about, to Life or Death, and yet to find Paul so oft pleading against Justification by Works. But if we will take the Scripture together, and not by incoherent scraps, the reconciliation is evident.