The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

1. It is not pleaded that all who do profess or have in former ages professed this Doctrine, have exemplified it in an holy and fruitful conversation. Many it is to be feared have been found amongst them who have lived and dyed in sin. Neither do I know but that some have abused this Doctrine to countenance themselves in their sins, and neglect of duty. The best of holy things or truths cannot be secured from abuse, so long as the Sophistry of the old Serpent hath an influence on the lusts and depraved minds of men. So was it with them of old who turned the grace of God into lasciviousness; or from the Doctrine of it countenanced themselves in their ungodly deeds. Even from the beginning the whole Doctrine of the Gospel with the grace of God declared therein, was so abused. Neither were all that made profession of it, immediately rendered Holy and Righteous thereby. Many from the first, so walked as to make it evident that their Belly was their God, and their end destruction. It is one thing to have only the conviction of truth in our minds, another to have the power of it in our hearts. The former will produce an outward profession, the later only effect an inward ⟨p. 546⟩Renovation of our Souls. However I must add three things unto this concession.

1. I am not satisfied that any of those who at present oppose this Doctrine, do in Holiness or Righteousness, in the exercise of Faith, Love, Zeal, Self-denial, and all other Christian Graces, surpass those who in the last ages, both in this and other Nations firmly adhered unto it, and who constantly testified unto that effectual influence which it had into their walking before God: Nor do I know that any can be named amongst us in the former ages, who were eminent in Holiness, and many such there were, who did not cordially assent unto that imputation of the Righteousness of Christ which we plead for. I doubt not in the least, but that many who greatly differ from others in the explication of this Doctrine may be and are eminently holy, at least sincerely so, which is as much as the best can pretend unto. But it is not comely to find some others who give very little evidence of their diligent following after that Holiness, without which no man shall see God, vehemently declaiming against that Doctrine as destructive of Holiness, which was so fruitful in it in former days.