The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

1. That which he excludes is Works, not of Works, Ver. 9. And what works he intends at least principally, himself ⟨p. 522⟩declares. Works, say some, of the Law, the Law of Moses. But what concernment had these Ephesians therein, that the Apostle should inform them, that they were not justified by those works. They were never under that Law, never sought for Righteousness by it, nor had any respect unto it, but only, that they were delivered from it. But it may be he intends only Works wrought in the strength of our own natural abilities, without the aids of Grace, and before believing. But what were the Works of these Ephesians antecedent unto believing, he before and afterwards declares. For being dead in trespasses and sins, they walked according to the course of this World in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh, and of the mind, Ver. 1, 2, 3. It is certain enough that these works have no influence into our Justification; and no less certain, that the Apostle had no reason to exclude them from it, as though any could pretend to be advantaged by them, in that which consisteth in a deliverance from them. Wherefore the Works here excluded by the Apostle, are those works which the Ephesians now performed, when the were Believers, quickened with Christ; even the Works which God hath fore-ordained, that we should walk in them, as he expressly declared, Ver. 10. And these Works he excludeth not only in opposition unto Grace, but in opposition unto Faith also. Through Faith not of Works. Wherefore he doth not only reject their merit, as inconsistent with Grace, but their cointerest on our part with, or subsequent interest unto Faith, in the Work of Justification before God.

1. That which he excludes is Works, not of Works, Ver. 9. And what works he intends at least principally, himself ⟨p. 522⟩declares. Works, say some, of the Law, the Law of Moses. But what concernment had these Ephesians therein, that the Apostle should inform them, that they were not justified by those works. They were never under that Law, never sought for Righteousness by it, nor had any respect unto it, but only, that they were delivered from it. But it may be he intends only Works wrought in the strength of our own natural abilities, without the aids of Grace, and before believing. But what were the Works of these Ephesians antecedent unto believing, he before and afterwards declares. For being dead in trespasses and sins, they walked according to the course of this World in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh, and of the mind, Ver. 1, 2, 3. It is certain enough that these works have no influence into our Justification; and no less certain, that the Apostle had no reason to exclude them from it, as though any could pretend to be advantaged by them, in that which consisteth in a deliverance from them. Wherefore the Works here excluded by the Apostle, are those works which the Ephesians now performed, when the were Believers, quickned with Christ; even the Works which God hath fore-ordained, that we should walk in them, as he expresly declared, Ver. 10. And these Works he excludeth not only in opposition unto Grace, but in opposition unto Faith also. Through Faith not of Works. Wherefore he doth not only reject their merit, as inconsistent with Grace, but their cointerest on our part with, or subsequent interest unto Faith, in the Work of Justification before God.