The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

3. According unto this Rule, it is unquestionable that the Doctrine of Justification before God is to be learned from the writings of the Apostle Paul, and from them is light to be taken into all other places of Scripture where it is occasionally mentioned. Especially it is so, considering how exactly this Doctrine represents the whole Scope of the Scripture, ⟨p. 559⟩and is witnessed unto by particular Testimonies occasionally given unto the same truth, without number. For it must be acknowledged that he wrote of this subject of our Justification before God, on purpose to declare it for its own sake, and its use in the Church, and that he doth it fully, largely, and frequently in a constant Harmony of expressions. And he owns those Reasons that pressed him unto fullness, and accuracy herein. (1) The importance of the Doctrine it self. This he declares to be such, as that thereon our Salvation doth immediately depend; and that it was the hinge whereon the whole Doctrine of the Gospel did turn, Articulus stantis aut cadentis-Ecelesiae, Gal. 2.16, 21. Chap. 5.4, 5. (2) The plausible and dangerous opposition, that was then made unto it. This was so managed, and that with such specious pretences as that very many were prevailed on, and turned from the truth by it, as it was with the Galatians, and many detained from the Faith of the Gospel out of a dislike unto it, Rom. 10.3, 4. What care and diligence this requireth in the Declaration of any truth is sufficiently known unto them, who are acquainted with these things, What zeal, care and circumspection it stirred up the Apostle unto, is manifest in all his writings. (3) The Abuse which the corrupt nature of man is apt to put upon this Doctrine of Grace, and which some did actually pervert it unto. This also himself takes notice of, and thoroughly vindicates it from giving the least countenance unto such wrestings and impositions. Certainly, never was there a greater necessity incumbent on any person fully and plainly to teach and declare a Doctrine of truth, than was on him at that time in his circumstances, considering the place and duty that he was called unto.

3. According unto this Rule, it is unquestionable that the Doctrine of Justification before God is to be learned from the writings of the Apostle Paul, and from them is light to be taken into all other places of Scripture where it is occasionally mentioned. Especially it is so, considering how exactly this Doctrine represents the whole Scope of the Scripture,