The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

But there is no Instance more pregnant unto this purpose then that under our present consideration. Free Justification through the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ, is cried out against as inconsistent with a necessity of personal Holiness and Obedience; and because the Socinians insist principally on this pretence, it shall be fully and diligently considered apart, and that Holiness which without it they and others deriving from them do pretend unto, shall be tried by the unerring Rule.

Wherefore I desire it may be observed that in pleading for this Doctrine, we do it as a principal part of the Introduction of Grace into our whole Relation unto God. Hence we grant;

1. That it is unsuited, yea foolish, and as some speak Childish, unto the principles of unenlightened and unsanctified Reason, or Understandings of men. And this we conceive to be the principal cause of all the Oppositions that are made unto it, and all the Depravations of it that the Church is pestered withal. Hence are the wits of men so fertile in Sophistical Cavils against it, so ready to load it with seeming absurdities, and I know not what unsuitableness unto their wondrous rational conceptions. And no Objection can be made against it, be it never so trivial, but it is highly applauded by those who look on that Introduction of the mystery of Grace which is above their natural conceptions, as unintelligible folly.

1. That it is unsuited, yea foolish, and as some speak Childish, unto the principles of unenlightened and unsanctified Reason, or Understandings of men. And this we conceive to be the principal cause of all the Oppositions that are made unto it, and all the Depravations of it that the Church is pestered withall. Hence are the wits of men so fertile in Sophistical Cavils against it, so ready to load it with seeming absurdities, and I know not what unsuitableness unto their wonderous rational conceptions. And no Objection can be made against it, be it never so trivial, but it is highly applauded by those who look on that Introduction of the mystery of Grace which is above their natural conceptions, as unintelligible folly.