The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

But whereas it might be objected, That rejecting all both before and after conversion, he had nothing left to rejoice in, to glory in, to give him acceptance with God; he assures us of the contrary, namely, that he found all these things in Christ, and the Righteousness of God which is by Faith. He is therefore in these words, Not having mine own Righteousness, which is by the Law; so far from intending only the Righteousness which he had before his Conversion, as that he intends it not at all.

But whereas it might be objected, That rejecting all both before and after conversion, he had nothing left to rejoyce in, to glory in, to give him acceptance with God; he assures us of the contrary, namely, that he found all these things in Christ, and the Righteousness of God which is by Faith. He is therefore in these words, Not having mine own Righteousness, which is by the Law; so far from intending only the Righteousness which he had before his Conversion, as that he intends it not at all.

The words of Davenant on this passage of the Apostle, being in my judgment not only sober, but weighty also, I shall transcribe them. Hic docet Apostolus quaenam illa justitia ⟨p. 534⟩sit qua nitendum coram Deo, nimirum quae per fidem apprehenditur, at haec imputata est: Causam etiam ostendit cur jure nostra fiat, nimirum quia nos Christi sumus & in Christo comperimur; quia igitur insiti sumus in corpus ejus & coalescimus cum illo in unam personam, ideo ejus justitia nostra reputatur. De Justif. Habit. cap. 38. For whereas some begin to interpret our being in Christ, and being found in him, so as to intend no more but our profession of the Faith of the Gospel, The Faith of the Catholic Church in all ages concerning the Mystical Union of Christ and Believers, is not to be blown away with a few empty words and unproved Assertions.

The words of Davenant on this passage of the Apostle, being in my judgment not only sober, but weighty also, I shall transcribe them. Hic docet Apostolus quaenam illa justitia