The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

3. It is granted that this Doctrine both singly by it self, or in conjunction with whatever else concerns the grace of God by Christ Jesus, is liable unto abuse by them in whom darkness and the love of sin is predominant. For hence from the very beginning of our Religion, some fancied unto themselves that a bare assent unto the Gospel, was that Faith whereby they should be saved, and that they might be so, however they continued to live in sin, and a neglect of all Duties of Obedience. This is evident from the Epistles of John, James and Jude, in an especial manner. Against this pernicious evil we can give no relief, whilst men will love darkness more than light, because their deeds are evil, And it would be a fond imagination in any to think, that their modellings of this Doctrine after this manner, will prevent future abuse. If they will, it is by rendering it no part of the Gospel: for that which is so was ever liable to be abused by such persons as we speak of.

3. It is granted that this Doctrine both singly by it self, or in conjunction with whatever else concerns the grace of God by Christ Jesus, is liable unto abuse by them in whom darkness and the love of sin is predominant. For hence from the very beginning of our Religion, some fancied unto themselves that a bare assent unto the Gospel, was that Faith whereby they should be saved, and that they might be so, however they continued to live in sin, and a neglect of all Duties of Obedience. This is evident from the Epistles of John, James and Jude, in an especial manner. Against this pernicious evil we can give no relief, whilest men will love darkness more than light, because their deeds are evil, And it would be a fond imagination in any to think, that their modellings of this Doctrine after this manner, will prevent future abuse. If they will, it is by rendring it no part of the Gospel: for that which is so was ever liable to be abused by such persons as we speak of.

These general observations being premised which are sufficient of themselves, to discard this Objection from any place in the minds of sober men, I shall only add the consideration of what answers the Apostle Paul returns unto it, with a brief application of them unto our purpose.