The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

2. Justification may be where the outward Acts and Duties mentioned, proceeding from Convictions under the conduct of temporary Faith are not. For Adam was Justified without them, so also were the Converts in the Acts, chap. 2. For what is reported concerning them is all of it Essentially included in Conviction; ver. 37. And so likewise was it with the Jailer; Acts 16.30, 31. And as unto many of them, it is so with most that do believe. Therefore they are not Conditions. For a Condition suspends the Event of that whereof it is a Condition.

2. Justification may be where the outward Acts and Duties mentioned, proceeding from Convictions under the conduct of temporary Faith are not. For Adam was Justified without them, so also were the Converts in the Acts, chap. 2. For what is reported concerning them is all of it Essentially included in Conviction; ver. 37. And so likewise was it with the Jaylor; Acts 16.30, 31. And as unto many of them, it is so with most that do believe. Therefore they are not Conditions. For a Condition suspends the Event of that whereof it is a Condition.

3. They are not formal dispositions unto Justification, because it consisteth not in the Introduction of any new form or inherent Quality in the Soul, as hath been in part already declared, and shall yet afterwards be more fully evinced. Nor (4) are they moral preparations for it; for being antecedent unto Faith Evangelical, no man can have any design in them, but only to seek for Righteousness by the Works of the Law, which is no preparation unto Justification. All Discoveries ⟨p. 105⟩of the Righteousness of God, with the Souls adherence unto it, belong to Faith alone. There is indeed a Repentance which accompanieth Faith, and is included in the nature of it, at least radically. This is required unto our Justification. But that legal Repentance which precedes Gospel Faith and is without it, is neither a Disposition, Preparation, nor Condition of our Justification.