The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

Thirdly, The answers which the Apostle returns positively unto this objection wherein he declares the necessity, nature, ends and use of Evangelical Righteousness, and good Works, are large, and many comprehensive of a great part of the Doctrine of the Gospel. I shall only mention the heads of some of them which are the same that we plead in the vindication of the same truth.

1. He pleads the Ordination of God; God hath before ordained that we should walk in them; Eph. 2.10. God hath designed, in the disposal of the order of the causes of Salvation, that those who believe in Christ should live in, walk in, abound in, good Works and all Duties of Obedience unto God. To this end are Precepts, Directions, Motives and Encouragements every where multiplied in the Scripture. Wherefore we say that good Works, and that as they include the gradual progressive Renovation of our natures, our growth and increase in grace, with fruitfulness in our lives, are necessary from the Ordination of God, from his will and command. And what need there any further dispute about the necessity of good Works among them that know what it is to believe, or what respect there is in the Souls and Consciences of Believers unto the commands of God?

But what force, say some, is in this Command or Ordination of God, when notwithstanding it, and if we do not apply our selves unto Obedience, we shall be justified by the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ, and so may be saved without them. I say (1) As was before observed, that it is Believers alone concerning whom this enquiry is made, and there is none of them but will judge this a most unreasonable and senseless objection, as that which ariseth from an utter ignorance of their state and relation unto God. To suppose that the minds of Believers are not as much and as effectually influenced with the Authority and Commands of God unto Duty and Obedience, as if they were all given in order unto their Justification, is to consider neither what Faith is, nor what it is to be a Believer, nor what is the Relation that we stand in unto God by Faith in Christ Jesus, nor what are the Arguments or motives wherewith the minds of such persons are principally affected and constrained. This is the Answer which the Apostle gives at large unto this Exception,