The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

1. The state of a Convinced sinner; who is the only Subjectum ⟨p. 133⟩capax Justificationis. This hath been spoken unto already; and the necessity of its precedency unto the orderly proposal and receiving of Evangelical Righteousness unto Justification, demonstrated. If we lose a respect hereunto, we lose our best Guide towards the Discovery of the Nature of Faith. Let no man think to understand the Gospel, who knoweth nothing of the Law. Gods constitution and the nature of the things themselves, have given the Law the precedency with respect unto sinners; for by the Law is the knowledge of sin. And Gospel Faith is the Souls acting according to the mind of God for deliverance from that state and condition which it is cast under by the Law. And all those Descriptions of Faith which abound in the Writings of Learned men, which do not at least include in them a virtual respect unto this state and condition, or the Work of the Law on the Consciences of sinners, are all of them vain speculations▪ There is nothing in this whole Doctrine that I will more firmly adhere unto, than the necessity of the Convictions mentioned previous unto true Believing, without which not one line of it can be understood aright, and men do but beat the Air in their contentions about it. See Rom. 3.21, 22, 23, 24.

2. We suppose herein a sincere Assent unto all Divine Revelations, whereof the Promises of Grace and Mercy by Christ are an especial part. This Paul supposed in Agrippa when he would have won him over unto Faith in Christ Jesus, King Agrippa believest thou the Prophets, I know that thou believest, Act. 26.27. And this Assent which respects the Promises of the Gospel, not as they contain, propose, and exhibit the Lord Christ and the Benefits of his Mediation unto us, but as Divine Revelations of infallible Truth, is true and sincere in its kind, as we described it before under the notion of Temporary Faith. But as it proceeds no farther, as it includes no Act of the Will or Heart, it is not that Faith