The marrow of true justification, or, Justification without works containing the substance of two…

And to this, let me add one thing more, i. e. it cannot be rationally doubted, but that the Jews and Judaizing Christians in the Apostles Days, against whom he contended, did profess any hope to be justified by a complete or perfect Obedience to the Law according to the rigour of it; but no doubt thought if they did sincerely do what they could to love God, and keep his Commandments, they should be accepted and justified in his sight: For the Jewish Religion taught them that professed it (as one observes) to acknowledge themselves Sinners, which appears by their Anniversary Humiliation at the day of Atonement, and several other Rites of the Law; nor have we any reason to conclude but some of them yielded also sincere Obedience (I speak of Moral Sincerity) to the Law; this being so, I see not why their sincere Obedience might not justify them as far forth, as any sincere Obedience to the Gospel or milder Law can a Christian now. Brethren, this new Doctrine is but a piece of Old Judaism• ⟨p. 23⟩These Men do but stumble at the Old Stumbling-stone, which was the seeking to be justified by a man's own Righteousness, in a sincere or upright Obedience to that Law or Rule of Life God gave them; and so thereby not submitting themselves to the Righteousness of God, which is by Faith in Jesus Christ, without the Law or any Obedience of ours.

And to this, let me add one thing more, i. e. it cannot be rationally doubted, but that the Jews and Judaizing Christians in the Apostles Days, against whom he contended, did profess any hope to be justified by a compleat or perfect Obedience to the Law according to the rigour of it; but no doubt thought if they did sincerely do what they could to love God, and keep his Commandments, they should be accepted and justified in his sight: For the Jewish Religion taught them that professed it (as one observes) to acknowledge themselves Sinners, which appears by their Anniversary Humiliation at the day of Atonement, and several other Rites of the Law; nor have we any reason to conclude but some of them yielded also sincere Obedience (I speak of Moral Sincerity) to the Law; this being so, I see not why their sincere Obedience might not justifie them as far forth, as any sincere Obedience to the Gospel or milder Law can a Christian now. Brethren, this new Doctrine is but a piece of Old Judaism• ⟨p. 23⟩