The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

That which remaineth to put an issue to this Discourse, is the consideration of some things, that in general are laid in objection against the truth pleaded for. Many things of that nature we have occasionally met withal, and already removed. Yea, the principal of those which at present are most insisted on. The Testimonies of Scripture urged by those of the Roman Church for Justification by works, have all of them so fully and frequently been answered by Protestant Divines, that it is altogether needless to insist again upon them, unless they had received some new enforcement, which of late they have not done. That which for the most part we have now to do withal, are rather Sophistical cavils from supposed absurd consequences, then real Theological arguments. And some of those who would walk with most wariness between the imputation of the Righteousness of Christ and Justification by our own works, either are in such a slippery place, that they seem sometimes to be on the one side, sometimes on the other, or else to express themselves with so much caution as it is very difficult to apprehend their minds. I shall not therefore for the future dare to say, that this or that is any mans opinion, though it appear unto me so to be as clear and evident as words can express it, but ⟨p. 540⟩that this or that opinion, let it be maintained by whom it will, I approve or disapprove, this I shall dare to say. And I will say also, that the declination that hath been from the common Doctrine of Justification before God, on the imputation of the Righteousness of Christ, doth daily proceed towards a direct assertion of justification by works. Nor indeed hath it where to rest, until it comes unto that bottom. And this is more clearly seen in the objections which they make against the truth, then in what they plead in defence of their own opinions. For herein they speak as yet warily, and with a pretence of accuracy in avoiding extremes: But in the other, or their objections they make use of none but what are easily resolved into a supposition of Justification by Works in the grossest sense of it. To insist on all particulars were endless, and as was said, most of those of any importance have already occasionally been spoken unto.