The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

1. The Doctrine of the Causes of Faith as unto its first Original in the Divine Will, and the way of its communication unto us, is so large, and so immixed with that of the way and manner of the operation of efficacious Grace in Conversion (which I have handled elsewhere) as that I shall not here insist upon it. For as it cannot in a few words be spoken unto according unto its weight and worth, so to engage into a full handling of it, would too much divert us from our present Argument. This I shall only say, that from thence it may be uncontrollably evidenced, That the Faith whereby we are justified, is of an especial kind or nature, wherein no other Faith which Justification is not inseparable from, doth partake with it.

1. The Doctrine of the Causes of Faith as unto its first Original in the Divine Will, and the way of its communication unto us, is so large, and so immixed with that of the way and manner of the operation of efficacious Grace in Conversion (which I have handled elsewhere) as that I shall not here insist upon it. For as it cannot in a few words be spoken unto according unto its weight and worth, so to engage into a full handling of it, would too much divert us from our present Argument. This I shall only say, that from thence it may be uncontroulably evidenced, That the Faith whereby we are justified, is of an especial kind or nature, wherein no other Faith which Justification is not inseparable from, doth partake with it.

2. Wherefore our first Enquiry is concerning what was proposed in the second place, namely, what is an our part in a way of Duty previously required thereunto; or what is necessary to be found in us antecedaneously unto our Believing unto the Justification of Life. And I say there is supposed in them in whom this Faith is wrought, on whom it is bestowed, and whose Duty it is to believe therewith; the work of the Law in the Conviction of sin, or Conviction of sin is a necessary Antecedent unto Justifying Faith. Many have disputed what belongs hereunto, and what effects it produceth in the mind, that dispose the Soul unto the receiving of the Promise of the Gospel. But whereas there are different Apprehensions about these effects or concomitants of Conviction, (in Compunction, Humiliation, Self-judging, with sorrow for sin committed, and the like) as also about the Degrees of them, as ordinarily pre-required unto Faith and Conversion unto God; I shall speak very briefly unto them, so far as they are inseparable from the Conviction asserted. And I shall first consider this Conviction it self with what is essential thereunto, and then the effects of it in conjunction with that temporary Faith before spoken of. I shall do so, not as