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

5. Some also there be, who affirm, that Justification consisteth in our being perfectly and inherently Holy, by the Spirit, Light, or Christ within; and that no •an can be Justified, unless he be in himself perfect without Sin. These Men, for all their late pretences, in talking of Christ's righteousness; yet […] ⟨p. 11⟩evident those who assert this Doctrine say, God doth not accept any, where there is any failing, or do not fulfil the Law, and Answer every demand of Justice, Edw. Burroughs Works, 14 Queries, p. 33. And another of their chief Teachers saith; That Justification by the righteousness of another, or which Christ fulfilled for us, in his own Person, wholly without us; we boldly affirm (saith he) to be a Doctrine of Devils, and an Arm of the Sea of Corruption, which doth now Deluge the World, Pen's Apol. p. 148. And again he says, It is a great Abomination to say God should condemn and punish his innocent Son, that he having satisfied for our Sins we may be justified by the imputation of his perfect righteousness, Pen's Sandy Foundation, p. 25. And then afterwards speaking of that Text, Rom. 2. 13. Not the Hearers of the Law are Just before God, but the Doers of it shall be Justified. From whence, saith he, how unanswerably may I observe, that unless we become Doers of that Law which Christ came not to destroy, but as our Example to fulfil, we cannot be Justified before God? Nor let any fancy that Christ hath fulfilled it for them, as to exclude their Obedience from being requisite to their Acceptance, but only as their Pattern, Pen's Sandy Foundation, p. 26. No marvel they Preach up a sinless Perfection to be attainable in this Life, or that Men may live and not Sin at all, since without an actual Obedience in our own Persons to the Law in every part and branch of it, no Man can be Justified in the sight of God. We say there is no Man can be Justified, but by a complete and perfect righteousness, either inherent in us, or imputed to us; but 'tis evident, by what I have already showed, no Man hath such a righteousness in himself; there being none that doth good, and sinneth not; if we say we have no Sin, we deceive our selves, and the Truth is not in us, 1 Joh. 1. 8. Paul cried out, When he would do Good, Sin was present with him,