The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

The Answer therefore is full and clear unto the general Exception, namely, that the Apostle rejects our Legal, but not our Evangelical Righteousness. For (1.) the Apostle rejects, disclaims, disowns nothing at all, not the one, nor the other absolutely, but in comparison of Christ, and with respect unto the especial end of Justification before God, or a Righteousness in his sight▪ (2.) In that sense he rejects all our own Righteousness, but our Evangelical Righteousness, in the sense pleaded for, is our own, inherent in us, performed by us. (3.) Our Legal Righteousness, and our Evangelical, so far as an Inherent Righteousness is intended, are the same, and the different ends and use of the same Righteousness, is alone intended in that distinction, so far as it hath sense in it. That which in respect of Motives unto it, the ends of it, with the especial causes of its acceptance with God. is Evangelical, in respect of its original Prescription, Rule, and Measure, is Legal. When any can instance in any Act or Duty, in any habit or effect of it, which are not required by that Law which enjoins us to love the Lord our God, with all our heart, soul, and mind, and our neighbour as our selves; they shall be attended unto. (4.) The Apostle in this case rejects all the Works of Righteousness which we have done, Tit. 3.5. But our Evangelical Righteousness consisteth in ⟨p. 535⟩the Works of Righteousness which we do. (5.) He disclaims all that is our own. And if the Evangelical Righteousness intended be our own, he sets up another in opposition unto it; and which therefore is not our own, but as it is imputed unto us. And I shall yet add some other reasons which render this pretence useless, or show the falseness of it.

The Answer therefore is full and clear unto the general Exception, namely, that the Apostle rejects our Legal, but not our Evangelical Righteousness. For (1.) the Apostle rejects, disclaims, disowns nothing at all, not the one, nor the other absolutely, but in comparison of Christ, and with respect unto the especial end of Justification before God, or a Righteousness in his sight▪ (2.) In that sense he rejects all our own Righteousness, but our Evangelical Righteousness, in the sense pleaded for, is our own, inherent in us, performed by us. (3.) Our Legal Righteousness, and our Evangelical, so far as an Inherent Righteousness is intended, are the same, and the different ends and use of the same Righteousness, is alone intended in that distinction, so far as it hath sense in it. That which in respect of Motives unto it, the ends of it, with the especial causes of its acceptance with God. is Evangelical, in respect of its original Prescription, Rule, and Measure, is Legal. When any can instance in any Act or Duty, in any habit or effect of it, which are not required by that Law which injoyns us to love the Lord our God, with all our heart, soul, and mind, and our neighbor as our selves; they shall be attended unto. (4.) The Apostle in this case rejects all the Works of Righteousness which we have done,