The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

So is it with all that continue Unbelievers under the proposal of the Object of Faith in the Preaching of the Gospel. They may give an Assent unto the Truth of it, so far as it is a mere Act of the mind; at least they find not themselves concerned to reject it. Yea they may Assent unto it with that Temporary Faith which we described before, and perform many Duties of Religion thereon. Yet do they manifest that they are not sincere Believers, that they do not believe with the Heart, unto Righteousness, by many things that are irreconcilable unto, and inconsistent with Justifying Faith. The Enquiry therefore is, wherein the Unbelief of such persons on the Account whereof they perish, doth consist, and what is the formal nature of it. It is not as was said, in the want of an Assent unto the Truths of the Doctrine of the Gospel; for from such an Assent are they said in many places of the Scripture to believe, as hath been proved. And this Assent may be so firm, and by various means so radicated in their minds, as that in Testimony unto it they may give their Bodies to be burned; as men also may do in the confirmation of a false persuasion. Nor is it the want of an especial fiduciary Application of the Promises of the Gospel unto themselves, ⟨p. 129⟩and the belief of the pardon of their own sins in particular. For this is not proposed unto them in the first preaching of the Gospel, as that which they are first to believe; and there may be a believing unto Righteousness where this is not attained, Isa. 50.10. This will evidence Faith not to be true, but it is not formal unbelief. Nor is it the want of Obedience unto the precepts of the Gospel in Duties of Holiness and Righteousness. For these commands as formally given in and by the Gospel, belong only unto them that truly believe and are justified thereon. That therefore which is required unto Evangelical Faith, wherein the nature of it doth consist, as it is the foundation of all future Obedience, is the Hearts Approbation of the way of Life and Salvation by Jesus Christ, proposed unto it as the Effect of the infinite Wisdom, Love, Grace, and Goodness of God; and as that which is suited unto all the wants and whole design of Guilty Convinced sinners. This such Persons have not, and in the want thereof consists the formal Nature of Unbelief.

So is it with all that continue Ʋnbelievers under the proposal of the Object of Faith in the Preaching of the Gospel. They may give an Assent unto the Truth of it, so far as it is a meer Act of the mind; at least they find not themselves concerned to reject it. Yea they may Assent unto it with that Temporary Faith which we described before, and perform many Duties of Religion thereon. Yet do they manifest that they are not sincere Believers, that they do not believe with the Heart, unto Righteousness, by many things that are irreconcileable unto, and inconsistent with Justifying Faith. The Enquiry therefore is, wherein the Ʋnbelief of such persons on the Account whereof they perish, doth consist, and what is the formal nature of it. It is not as was said, in the want of an Assent unto the Truths of the Doctrine of the Gospel; for from such an Assent are they said in many places of the Scripture to believe, as hath been proved. And this Assent may be so firm, and by various means so radicated in their minds, as that in Testimony unto it they may give their Bodies to be burned; as men also may do in the confirmation of a false perswasion. Nor is it the want of an especial fiduciary Application of the Promises of the Gospel unto themselves,