The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

3. It were not amiss, if this part of the controversy might amongst us all, be issued in the advise of the Apostle James Chap. 2.18. Show me thy Faith by thy works, and I will show thee my Faith by my works. Let us all labour that fruits may thus far determine of Doctrines, as unto their use, unto ⟨p. 547⟩the interest of Righteousness and Holiness. For that Faith which doth not evidence it self by works, that hath not this [Greek or Hebrew] this Index which James calls for, whereby it may be found out and examined, is of no use nor consideration herein. Secondly, The same Objection was from the beginning laid against the Doctrine of the Apostle Paul, the same charge was managed against it, which sufficiently argues, that it is the same Doctrine which is now assaulted with it. This himself more than once takes notice of, Rom. 3.31. Do we make void the Law through Faith? It is an objection that he anticipates against his Doctrine of the free Justification of sinners, through Faith in the blood of Christ. And the substance of the charge included in these words is, that he destroyed the Law, took off all Obligation unto Obedience, and brought in Antinomianism. So again, Chap. 6.1. What shall we say then, shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Some thought this the natural and genuine consequence of what he had largely discoursed concerning Justification which he had now fully closed, and some think so still. If what he taught concerning the grace of God in our Justification be true, it will not only follow, that there will be no need of any relinquishment of sin on our part, but also a continuance in it must needs tend unto the exaltation of that grace, which he had so extolled. The same objection he repeats again, v. 15. What then, shall we sin because we are not under the Law but under Grace. And in sundry other places doth he obviate the same objection, where he doth not absolutely suppose it, especially, Ephes. 2.9, 10. we have therefore no Reason to be surprised with, nor much to be moved at this objection and charge, for it is no other but what was insinuated or managed against the Doctrine of the Apostle himself, whatever enforcements are now given it by subtlety of arguing or Rhetorical exaggerations.

3. It were not amiss, if this part of the controversie might amongst us all, be issued in the advise of the Apostle James Chap. 2.18. Shew me thy Faith by thy works, and I will shew thee my Faith by my works. Let us all labour that fruits may thus far determine of Doctrines, as unto their use, unto