The Scripture Gospel defended, and Christ, grace, and free justification vindicated against the libertines…

But if they still say, that by Faith is meant only the Object of Faith, and not the Act; could we but get them to forbear Anathematizing Men for being so Learned, as to understand English, we might yet hope at least, to keep the flame of their Zeal out of the thatch within the Chimney; by telling them the difference between the Object of Faith, as such, and the person that is the Object, otherwise considered. In real Existence, Christ, tho' not yet believed in, is the sole meritorious Cause: But it is only in esse cognito, that Christ is the Object of Faith. And School-Boys that have no damnable Learning, may teach these confident men, that the Object as an Object believed, is the very form in specie of the Act of Faith: It is an Act without it, but not this Act, viz. the Christian Faith. As sin in esse reall is damning, but in esse cognito objectivo, it is the form of the Grace of Repentance; so is it here. But if they will grant that by Faith is meant Faith, and not say that Paul condemneth Justification by Faith, as being but Justification by Works; let them but tell us, how it justifieth: I say not efficiently at all; but only as a mere receptive qualification: If they say as an Efficient Instrument, they give it much more than I do; and lay it on the Act or the [Greek or Hebrew] Credere, as they speak: For, what else is the Instrument; I hope they mean not that Christ and his Righteousness is but the Instrument: But of this, more after.

But if they still say, that by Faith is meant only the Object of Faith, and not the Act; could we but get them to forbear Anathematizing Men for being so Learned, as to understand English, we might yet hope at least, to keep the flame of their Zeal out of the thatch within the Chimney; by telling them the difference between the Object of Faith, as such, and the person that is the Object, otherwise considered. In real Existence, Christ, tho' not yet believed in, is the sole meritorious Cause: But it is only in esse cognito, that Christ is the Object of Faith. And School-Boyes that have no damnable Learning, may teach these confident men, that the Object as an Object believed, is the very form in specie of the Act of Faith: It is an Act without it, but not this Act, viz. the Christian Faith. As sin in esse reall is damning, but in esse cognito objectivo, it is the form of the Grace of Repentance; so is it here. But if they will grant that by Faith is meant Faith, and not say that Paul condemneth Justification by Faith, as being but Justification by Works; let them but tell us, how it justifieth: I say not efficiently at all; but only as a meer receptive qualification: If they say as an Efficient Instrument, they give it much more than I do; and lay it on the Act or the Credere, as they speak: For, what else is the Instrument; I hope they mean not that Christ and his Righteousness is but the Instrument: But of this, more after.