The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

The Socinians do now principally make use of this Objection. For finding the whole Church of God in the use of sundry Expressions, in the Declaration of the most important Truths of the Gospel that are not literally contained in the Scripture, they hoped from an Advantage from thence in their opposition unto the things themselves. Such are the Terms of the Trinity, the Incarnation, Satisfaction and Merit of Christ, as this also of the Imputation of his Righteousness. How little they have prevailed in the other Instances hath been sufficiently manifested by them with whom they have had to do. But as unto that part of this Objection which concerns the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ unto Believers, those by whom it is asserted do say;

1. That it is the Thing alone intended which they plead for. If that be not contained in the Scripture, if it be not plainly taught and confirmed therein, they will speedily relinquish it. But if they can prove that the Doctrine which they intend in this expression, and which is thereby plainly declared unto the understandings of men, is a divine Truth sufficiently witnessed unto in the Scripture, then is this expression of it reductively scriptural, and the Truth it self so expressed a Divine Verity. To deny this, is to take away all use of the Interpretation of the Scripture; and to overthrow the Ministry of the Church. This therefore is to be alone enquired into.

2. They say, the same thing is taught and expressed in the Scripture in Phrases equipollent. For it affirms that by the ⟨p. 73⟩Obedience of One (that is Christ) many are made Righteous, Rom. 5.18. And that we are made Righteous by the Imputation of Righteousness unto us. Blessed is the man unto whom God imputeth Righteousness without works, chap. 4.6. And if we are made Righteous by the Imputation of Righteousness unto us, that Obedience or Righteousness whereby we are made Righteous, is imputed unto us. And they will be content with this Expression of this Doctrine, That the Obedience of Christ whereby we are made Righteous, is the Righteousness that God imputeth unto us. Wherefore this Objection is of no force to disadvantage the Truth pleaded for.