The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

3. That he may be the Object of our Faith whose general nature consisteth in Assent, and which is the Foundation of all its other Acts, He is proposed in the promises of the Gospel, which I therefore place as concurring unto its complete Object. Yet do I not herein consider the Promises merely as peculiar divine Revelations, in which sense they belong unto the formal Object of Faith; but as they contain, propose, and exhibit Christ as the Ordinance of God and the Benefits of his Mediation unto them that do believe. There is an especial Assent unto the Promises of the Gospel, wherein some place the nature and essence of Justifying Faith, or of Faith in its Work and Duty with respect unto our Justification. And so they make the Promises of the Gospel to be the proper Object of it. And it cannot be, but that in the Actings of Justifying Faith there is a peculiar Assent unto them. Howbeit this being only an Act of the mind, neither the whole nature, nor the whole work of Faith can ⟨p. 116⟩consist therein. Wherefore so far as the Promises concur to the complete Object of Faith, they are considered materially also, namely, as they contain, propose, and exhibit Christ unto Believers. And in that sense are they frequently affirmed in the Scripture to be the Object of our Faith unto the Justification of Life, Act. 2.39. Act. 26.6. Rom. 4.16, 20. chap. 15.8. Gal. 3.16, 18. Heb. 4.1. chap. 6.13. chap. 8.6. chap. 10.36.

3. That he may be the Object of our Faith whose general nature consisteth in Assent, and which is the Foundation of all its other Acts, He is proposed in the promises of the Gospel, which I therefore place as concurring unto its compleat Object. Yet do I not herein consider the Promises meerly as peculiar divine Revelations, in which sense they belong unto the formal Object of Faith; but as they contain, propose, and exhibit Christ as the Ordinance of God and the Benefits of his Mediation unto them that do believe. There is an especial Assent unto the Promises of the Gospel, wherein some place the nature and essence of Justifying Faith, or of Faith in its Work and Duty with respect unto our Justification. And so they make the Promises of the Gospel to be the proper Object of it. And it cannot be, but that in the Actings of Justifying Faith there is a peculiar Assent unto them. Howbeit this being only an Act of the mind, neither the whole nature, nor the whole work of Faith can