The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

That which we shall now enquire into, is the Nature of Justifying Faith; or of Faith in that Act and Exercise of it whereby we are justified, or whereon Justification according unto Gods Ordination and Promise doth ensue. And the Reader is desired to take along with him a supposition of those things which we have already ascribed unto it, as it is sincere Faith in general; as also of what is required previously thereunto, as unto its especial Nature, Work and Duty in our Justification. For we do deny that ordinarily and according unto the method of Gods proceeding with us declared in the Scripture, wherein the Rule of our Duty is prescribed, that any one doth, or can truly believe with Faith unto Justification, in whom the Work of Conviction before described, hath not been wrought. All Descriptions or Definitions of Faith that have not a respect thereunto, are but vain speculations. And hence some do give us such Definitions of Faith, as it is hard to conceive, that they ever asked of themselves, what they do in their Believing on Jesus Christ for Life and Salvation.

THat which we shall now enquire into, is the Nature of Justifying Faith; or of Faith in that Act and Exercise of it whereby we are justified, or whereon Justification according unto Gods Ordination and Promise doth ensue. And the Reader is desired to take along with him a supposition of those things which we have already ascribed unto it, as it is sincere Faith in general; as also of what is required previously thereunto, as unto its especial Nature, Work and Duty in our Justification. For we do deny that ordinarily and according unto the method of Gods proceeding with us declared in the Scripture, wherein the Rule of our Duty is prescribed, that any one doth, or can truly believe with Faith unto Justification, in whom the Work of Conviction before described, hath not been wrought. All Descriptions or Definitions of Faith that have not a respect thereunto, are but vain speculations. And hence some do give us such Definitions of Faith, as it is hard to conceive, that they ever asked of themselves, what they do in their Believing on Jesus Christ for Life and Salvation.

The Nature of Justifying Faith with respect unto that Exercise of it whereby we are justified, consisteth in the Hearts Approbation of the way of Justification and Salvation of sinners by Jesus Christ proposed in the Gospel, as proceeding from the Grace, Wisdom, and Love of God, with its Acquiescence therein, as unto its own Concernment and Condition.