Of free justification

By these things, I think it is sufficiently evidenced, what is the Justification of a Wicked Man in the Scriptures, and in what thing it chiefly consists: not in a transmutation of inherent qualities, by a voluntary receiving of Grace, as they of Trent would have it; but in the judiciary absolution of the Judge, whereby he that is guilty is sent away free, and indemnity is given to him. Whence Justification seems to be defined not amiss by some: That it is an action of God, whereby he absolves the condemned Sinner from the Law, in his free mercy, for the sake of Christ, justifies him from his Sins, and glorifies him being justified. Though in the mean while it is not denied, that it is a matter of great concernment, how every Man leads his Life, and amends it. But yet it is one thing to speak of Righteousness, and another thing to speak of Justification. And again, it is one thing to be exercised in the common use of Life, ⟨p. 316⟩and another thing to be exercised in judicatories.

By these things, I think it is sufficiently evidenced, what is the Iustification of a Wicked Man in the Scriptures, and in what thing it chiefly consists: not in a transmutation of inherent qualities, by a voluntary receiving of Grace, as they of Trent would have it; but in the judiciary absolution of the Iudge, whereby he that is guilty is sent away free, and indemnity is given to him. Whence Iustification seems to be defined not amiss by some: That it is an action of God, whereby he absolves the condemned Sinner from the Law, in his free mercy, for the sake of Christ, justifies him from his Sins, and glorifies him being justified. Though in the mean while it is not denied, that it is a matter of great concernment, how every Man leads his Life, and amends it. But yet it is one thing to speak of Righteousness, and another thing to speak of Iustification. And again, it is one thing to be exercised in the common use of Life, ⟨p. 316⟩and another thing to be exercised in judicatories.

There the amendment of Life hath praise: but in judicatories, no regard uses to be, of what you are to do, but of what you have done; not what new qualities better Grace hath brought. but by what remedy former Sins may be done away. And now I pray you, what then must be said and looked for in that most strict Judgment of the most high God, where the scene and sink of the whole Life comes to be brought forth from its lurking places to the light; where impurity of Life, Deceits, Injuries, Filthiness of Lusts, the Defilement of Conscience and Concupiscence, the Wickedness of Words, Works, Counsels, and Thoughts, the Ambition of a pust up Mind, the stubbornness of Hatred, Love, Envy, and the other Affections Rebelling against Reason, the Love of the World, Earthly Desires, the Contempt and Ignorance of God, The neglect of Duty. Moreover the whole sink of things formerly done, will be all at once laid open; What will the miserable Sinner say here? What will he bring? To what will he fly? Will he fly to his secret Confessions, and Expiatory Penances and Satisfactions: that will not be sufficient.