The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

But on the other side, it is supposed that by some the Object of Justifying Faith is so much restrained, and the nature of it thereby determined unto such a peculiar Acting of the mind, as compriseth not the whole of what is in the Scripture ascribed unto it. So some have said, that it is the pardon of our sins in particular that is the Object of Justifying Faith; Faith therefore they make to be a full persuasion of the forgiveness of our sins through the Mediation of Christ; or that what Christ did and suffered as our Mediator, he did it for us in particular. And a particular Application of especial mercy unto our own Souls and Consciences is hereby made the Essence of Faith. Or to believe that our own sins are forgiven, seems hereby to be the first and most proper Act of Justifying Faith. Hence it would follow, that whosoever doth not believe, or hath not a firm persuasion of the forgiveness of his own sins in particular, hath no saving Faith, is no true Believer; which is by no means to be admitted. And if any have been or are of this Opinion, I fear that they were in the asserting of it, neglective of their own Experience; Or it may be rather, that they knew not how in their Experience, all the other Actings of Faith wherein its Essence doth consist, were included in this persuasion, which in an especial manner they aimed at; whereof we shall speak afterwards. And there is no doubt unto me but that this which they propose, Faith is suited unto, aimeth at, and doth ordinarily ⟨p. 112⟩effect in true Believers, who improve it, and grow in its exercise in a due manner.

But on the other side, it is supposed that by some the Object of Justifying Faith is so much restrained, and the nature of it thereby determined unto such a peculiar Acting of the mind, as compriseth not the whole of what is in the Scripture ascribed unto it. So some have said, that it is the pardon of our sins in particular that is the Object of Justifying Faith; Faith therefore they make to be a full perswasion of the forgiveness of our sins through the Mediation of Christ; or that what Christ did and suffered as our Mediator, he did it for us in particular. And a particular Application of especial mercy unto our own Souls and Consciences is hereby made the Essence of Faith. Or to believe that our own sins are forgiven, seems hereby to be the first and most proper Act of Justifying Faith. Hence it would follow, that whosoever doth not believe, or hath not a firm perswasion of the forgiveness of his own sins in particular, hath no saving Faith, is no true Believer; which is by no means to be admitted. And if any have been or are of this Opinion, I fear that they were in the asserting of it, neglective of their own Experience; Or it may be rather, that they knew not how in their Experience, all the other Actings of Faith wherein its Essence doth consist, were included in this perswasion, which in an especial manner they aimed at; whereof we shall speak afterwards. And there is no doubt unto me but that this which they propose, Faith is suited unto, aimeth at, and doth ordinarily