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

Secondly, They that say that it is justification before God that is here meant, (as no doubt it is) have yet divers interpretations of the word Works. Some say, that by Works is not meant [Works themselves] indeed, but a working faith. To them I say, first, I deny it, and wait for better proof then is yet brought. Secondly, The text nameth [works] expressly twelve times in a few verses: which is not usual in speeches so tropical as this is supposed to be. Thirdly, In many or most of the texts, that interpretation would make the words non-sense, as the perusal will declare. Fourthly, If the word [works] did emphatically signify the [working nature] of faith, or faith not qua fides, but qua operans, it will be all one as to the matter in question, and yield what I desire.

Secondly, They that say that it is justification before God that is here meant, (as no doubt it is) have yet divers interpretations of the word Works. Some say, that by Works is not meant [Works themselves] indeed, but a working faith. To them I say, first, I deny it, and wait for better proof then is yet brought. Secondly, The text nameth [works] expresly twelve times in a few verses: which is not usual in speeches so tropicall as this is supposed to be. Thirdly, In many or most of the texts, that interpretation would make the words non-sense, as the perusall will declare. Fourthly, If the word [works] did emphatically signifie the [working nature] of faith, or faith not qua fides, but qua operans, it will be all one as to the matter in question, and yield what I desire.

Others say that by works is indeed meant the works themselves properly; but then they say that the text speaks not of the Justification of the person by them, but of faith by them, for faith, say they, alone doth justify the person, and works only justify faith. Answer, But first, this contradicteth the express text: for ⟨p. 81⟩verse 14. It is the Salvation of the person that is denied; and ver. 21. It it the justification of Abraham himself that is there mentioned; and ver. 24. it is the man that is said to be justified by works and not by faith only; and verse 25. it is Rahab her self that is said to be justified by works. Secondly, The answer contradicteth themselves, or granteth what I desire: for if works justify the faith, they must needs justify the person in tantum, against any accusation of gross Infidelity and Hypocrisy. Sometime the person is justified when his Action cannot be justified (as in case of satisfaction and pardon:) but to justify the action it self, is the highest sort of justifying the person.