The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

2ly. The Order, Relation, and use of the Law and the Gospel do uncontrollably evince the necessity of this Conviction previous unto Believing. For that which any man hath first to deal withal, with respect unto his Eternal Condition, both naturally and by Gods Institution is the Law. This is first presented unto the Soul, with its Terms of Righteousness and Life, and with its Curse in case of failure. Without this the Gospel cannot be understood, nor the Grace of it duly valued. For it is the Revelation of Gods way for the relieving the Souls of men from the sentence and curse of the Law, Rom. 1.17. That was the Nature, that was the Use and End of the first Promise, and of the whole work of Gods Grace revealed in all the ensuing Promises, or in the whole Gospel. Wherefore the Faith which we treat of being Evangelical, that which in its especial nature and use, not the Law but the Gospel requireth, that which hath the Gospel for its Principle, Rule, and Object, it is not required of us, cannot be acted by us, but on a supposition of the work and effect of the Law in the conviction of sin, by giving the knowledge of it, a sense of its Guilt, and the state of the sinner on the Account thereof. And that Faith which hath ⟨p. 100⟩not respect hereunto, we absolutely deny to be that Faith whereby we are justified, Gal. 3.22, 23, 24. Rom. 10.4.

2ly. The Order, Relation, and use of the Law and the Gospel do uncontroulably evince the necessity of this Conviction previous unto Believing. For that which any man hath first to deal withall, with respect unto his Eternal Condition, both naturally and by Gods Institution is the Law. This is first presented unto the Soul, with its Terms of Righteousness and Life, and with its Curse in case of failure. Without this the Gospel cannot be understood, nor the Grace of it duely valued. For it is the Revelation of Gods way for the relieving the Souls of men from the sentence and curse of the Law, Rom. 1.17. That was the Nature, that was the Use and End of the first Promise, and of the whole work of Gods Grace revealed in all the ensuing Promises, or in the whole Gospel. Wherefore the Faith which we treat of being Evangelical, that which in its especial nature and use, not the Law but the Gospel requireth, that which hath the Gospel for its Principle, Rule, and Object, it is not required of us, cannot be acted by us, but on a supposition of the work and effect of the Law in the conviction of sin, by giving the knowledge of it, a sense of its Guilt, and the state of the sinner on the Account thereof. And that Faith which hath