Of justification four disputations clearing and amicably defending the truth against the unnecessary oppositions…

or Remission to be part of Justification, or else to be two Relations (or other effects) immediately and at once (in order of time, if not of nature) resulting or proceeding from the same foundation (materially) or other cause. Though Gataker and Bradshaw make them to differ, it is but in this narrow (and almost unconceivable way) but in time to concur. I must therefore differ from you in this, that they have divers conditions: and wait for your proof of it. But it seems you will give us leave to say, A man is not pardoned by faith only; And yet he is justified by faith only! and that as a condition! Faith then it seems can do the whole, but not one half (as some judge) or can do, and not do the same thing (as others.)

or Remission to be part of Justification, or else to be two Relations (or other effects) immediately and at once (in order of time, if not of nature) resulting or proceeding from the same foundation (materially) or other cause. Though Gataker and Bradshaw make them to differ, it is but in this narrow (and almost unconceivable way) but in time to concur. I must therfore differ from you in this, that they have divers conditions: and wait for your proof of it. But it seems you will give us leave to say, A man is not pardoned by faith only; And yet he is justified by faith only! and that as a condition! Faith then it seems can do the whole, but not one half (as some judge) or can do, and not do the same thing (as others.)

2. But do you think that Repentance is not necessarily Antecedent to Justification, as well as to Remission? If you say No; the current of the Gospel Doctrine will confute you: ⟨p. 372⟩which usually putteth Repentance before Faith: and those Divines that say it followeth after it, do yet make them concur in order of time. But if Repentance do necessarily precede Justification, (as I doubt not but you will yield) then let me know to what purpose, or under what notion or respect, if not as a Condition? Can you find any lower place to give it? 3. But if you should mean that Faith and Repentance are the condition of our first Justification and Remission, but afterwards only of our Remission. I Answer, 1. According to your Judgement (who take Justification to be one act transient, once only performed, and neither a continued Act, nor renewed, or repeated,) neither Faith nor Repentance afterwards performed, are any conditions of our Justification in this Life. This may seem a heavy charge, but it is a plain Truth. For that Justification which we receive upon our first believing hath only that first Act of faith for its condition (or as others speak, its Instrumental cause) We are not justified to day by that act of Faith, which we shall perform to Morrow, or a Twelvemonth hence; so that according to your opinion, and all that go that way, it is only one (the first) Act of Faith which justifies; and all the following Acts through our whole life, do no more to our Justification, then the works of the Law do. I would many other Divines that go your way (for it is common as to the dispatching of Justification by one Act) would think of this foul absurdity. (You may add this also to what is said before, against your opinion herein,) Where then is the Old Doctrine of the just living by faith, as to Justification? I may bear with these men (or at least, need not wonder,) for not admitting Obedience or other Graces to be conditions of Justification as continued, when they will not admit faith it self. Who speaks more against faith, they or I? When I admit as necessary that first act, and maintain the necessity of repeated acts, to our continued Justification; and they exclude all save one Instantaneous act? 2. And what reason can any man give, why Repentance should be admitted as a condition of our first Justification, and yet be no condition of the continuance of it?