Of free justification

Paul furnishes us with an Answer to this Argument. Whereas that excellent Patriarch made no doubt of sacrificing his dearly beloved Son at the command ¹of God; therefore the Apostle James says, That he was justified by Works. If they understand it amongst men, it is true, but not in the sight of God, unless we would give the Lye to Paul, that choice Instrument in the hand of ⟨p. 452⟩Christ, who discoursing of the Works of the Patriarch; he says, That if he hath any thing to glory in, he hath it before men, but not before God. And why before men, and not before God? but because the Justification ²of men is one thing, and the Justification of God is another; for men judge by the appearance, and the sight of Works moves them to justify. Now the whole Epistle of the Apostle James, is taken up about this outward appearance of Works before men; and its whole design is, that by our good deeds, and Charity (which is inseparably joined with saving Faith) we should give evidence, that the Faith, wherein we glory before God, is a lively Faith, and not counterfeit, nor unfruitful: Wherefore presently he adds; Show me thy Faith without thy Works, and I will show thee my Faith by my Works. By which it easily appears, what Justification it is, whereof the Apostle James speaks to wit, that, which by works discovers it self before men.

Paul furnishes us with an Answer to this Argument. Whereas that excellent Patriarch made no doubt of sacrificing his dearly beloved Son at the command ¹of God; therefore the Apostle Iames says, That he was justified by Works. If they understand it amongst men, it is true, but not in the sight of God, unless we would give the Lye to Paul, that choice Instrument in the hand of ⟨p. 452⟩Christ, who discoursing of the Works of the Patriarch; he says, That if he hath any thing to glory in, he hath it before men, but not before God. And why before men, and not before God? but because the Iustification ²