The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

What it is that he intends by our being saved, must be inquired into. It would not be prejudicial unto, but rather advance the truth we plead for, if by our being saved, eternal Salvation were intended. But that cannot be the sense of it in this place, otherwise than as that Salvation is included in the causes of it, which are effectual in this life. ⟨p. 520⟩Nor do I think that in that expression, By Grace ye are saved, our Justification only is intended, although it be so principally. Conversion unto God and Sanctification, are also included therein, as is evident from Ver. 5, 6. And they are no less of sovereign Grace, than is our Justification it self. But the Apostle speaks of what the Ephesians being now Believers, and by virtue of their being so, were made partakers of in this life. This is manifest in the whole context. For having in the beginning of the Chapter described their condition, what it was in common with all the Posterity of Adam by nature, Ver. 1, 2, 3. He moreover declares their condition in particular, in opposition to that of the Jews, as they were Gentiles, Idolaters, Atheists, Ver. 11, 12. Their present delivery by Jesus Christ from this whole miserable state and condition, that which they were under in common with all mankind, and that which was a peculiar aggravation of its misery in themselves, is that which he intends by their being saved. That which was principally designed in the description of this state is, That therein and thereby they were liable unto the wrath of God, guilty before him, and obnoxious unto his judgment. This he expresseth in the declaration of it. Ver. 3. Answerable unto that method, and those grounds, he every where proceeds on in declaring the Doctrine of Justification.

What it is that he intends by our being saved, must be inquired into. It would not be prejudicial unto, but rather advance the truth we plead for, if by our being saved, eternal Salvation were intended. But that cannot be the sense of it in this place, otherwise than as that Salvation is included in the causes of it, which are effectual in this life. ⟨p. 520⟩Nor do I think that in that expression, By Grace ye are saved, our Justification only is intended, although it be so principally. Conversion unto God and Sanctification, are also included therein, as is evident from Ver. 5, 6. And they are no less of sovereign Grace, than is our Justification it self. But the Apostle speaks of what the Ephesians being now Believers, and by vertue of their being so, were made partakers of in this life. This is manifest in the whole context. For having in the beginning of the Chapter described their condition, what it was in common with all the Posterity of Adam by nature, Ver. 1, 2, 3. He moreover declares their condition in particular, in opposition to that of the Jews, as they were Gentiles, Idolaters, Atheists, Ver. 11, 12. Their present delivery by Jesus Christ from this whole miserable state and condition, that which they were under in common with all mankind, and that which was a peculiar aggravation of its misery in themselves, is that which he intends by their being saved. That which was principally designed in the description of this state is, That therein and thereby they were liable unto the wrath of God, guilty before him, and obnoxious unto his judgment. This he expresseth in the declaration of it. Ver. 3. Answerable unto that method, and those grounds, he every where proceeds on in declaring the Doctrine of Justification.