The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

Answ. 1. That in the matter of our Justification the Apostle opposeth Evangelical Works, not only unto the Grace of God, but also unto the Faith of Believers, was proved in the consideration of the foregoing Testimony.

2. He makes no such distinction, as that pretended, namely, That Works are of two sorts; whereof one is to be excluded from any interest in our Justification, but not the other; neither doth he any where else, treating of the same subject, intimate any such distinction; but on the contrary, declares that use of all Works of Obedience in them that believe, which is exclusive of the supposition of any such distinction▪ but he directly expresseth, in this rejection, his own Righteousness, that is, his Personal Inherent Righteousness whatever it be, and however it be wrought.

3. He makes a plain distinction of his own twofold estate, namely, that of his Judaism which he was in before his Conversion, and that which he had by Faith in Christ Jesus. In the first state, he considers the privileges of it, and declares what judgment he made concerning them upon the Revelation of Jesus Christ unto him, [Greek or Hebrew], saith he, referring unto the time past, namely, at his first conversion. I considered them with all the advantages, gain, and reputation, which I had by them, but rejected them all for Christ, because the esteem of them and continuance in them as privileges, was inconsistent with Faith in Christ Jesus. Secondly, he proceeds to give an account of himself and his thoughts, as unto his present condition. For it might be supposed, that although he had parted with all his legal privileges for Christ; yet now being united unto him by Faith, he had something ⟨p. 533⟩