The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

If we are saved by Grace through Faith in Christ exclusively unto all works of Obedience whatever, then cannot such works be the whole or any part of our Righteousness unto the Justification of life. Wherefore another Righteousness we must have or perish for ever. Many things I know are here offered, and many distinctions coined to retain some interest of Works in our ⟨p. 523⟩Justification before God; But whether it be the safest way to trust unto them, or unto this plain, express, Divine Testimony, will not be hard for any to determine when they make the case their own.

If we are saved by Grace through Faith in Christ exclusively unto all works of Obedience whatever, then cannot such works be the whole or any part of our Righteousness unto the Justification of life. Wherefore another Righteousness we must have or perish for ever. Many things I know are here offered, and many distinctions coyned to retain some interest of Works in our ⟨p. 523⟩Justification before God; But whether it be the safest way to trust unto them, or unto this plain, express, Divine Testimony, will not be hard for any to determine when they make the case their own.

2. The Apostle adds a Reason of this exclusion of Works, not of Works left any one should boast. God hath ordained the order and method of our Justification by Christ in the way expressed, that no man might have ground, reason, or occasion to glory or boast in or of himself. So it is expressed, 1 Cor. 1.21, 30, 31. Rom. 3.32. To exclude all glorying or boasting on our part, is the design of God. And this consists in an ascription of something unto our selves, that is not in others, in order unto Justification. And it is Works alone that can administer any occasion of this boasting; For if Abraham were justified by Works, he had whereof to glory,