And this in particular is to be affirmed of Repentance, concerning which it is most vehemently urged, that it is of the same necessity unto our Justification as Faith is. For this they say is easily proved from Testimonies of Scripture innumerable, which call all men to Repentance that will be saved; especially those two eminent places are insisted on; Act. 2.38, 39. chap. 3.16. but that which they have to prove, is not that it is of the same necessity with Faith unto them that are to be justified, but that it is of the same use with Faith in their Justification. Baptism in that place of the Apostle, Act. 2.38, 39. is joined with Faith no less than Repentance. And in other places it is expressly put into the same condition. Hence most of the Ancients concluded that it was no less necessary unto Salvation than Faith or Repentance it self. Yet never did any of them assign it the same use in Justification with Faith. But it is pleaded, whatever is a necessary condition of the new Covenant is also a necessary Condition of Justification. For otherwise a man might be justified, and continuing in his justified estate not be saved, for want of that necessary condition. For by a necessary Condition of the new Covenant they understand that, without which a man cannot be saved. But of this Nature is Repentance as well as Faith, ⟨p. 143⟩and so is equally a condition of our Justification. The Ambiguity of the signification of the word Condition, doth cast much disorder on the present enquiry, in the Discourses of some men. But to pass it by at present, I say final perseverance is a necessary condition of the New Covenant; wherefore by this Rule it is also of Justification. They say some things are Conditions absolutely, such as are Faith and Repentance, and a purpose of Obedience, some are so on some supposition only; namely, that a mans life be continued in this world, such is a course in Obedience and Good Works, and Perseverance unto the End. Wherefore I say then, that on supposition that a man lives in this World, perseverance unto the End is a necessary Condition of his Justification. And if so, no man can be justified whilst he is in this World. For a Condition doth suspend that whereof it is a Condition from Existence, until it be accomplished. It is then to no purpose to dispute any longer about Justification, if indeed no man is nor can be justified in this life.
And this in particular is to be affirmed of Repentance, concerning which it is most vehemently urged, that it is of the same necessity unto our Justification as Faith is. For this they say is easily proved from Testimonies of Scripture innumerable, which call all men to Repentance that will be saved; especially those two eminent places are insisted on; Act. 2.38, 39. chap. 3.16. but that which they have to prove, is not that it is of the same necessity with Faith unto them that are to be justified, but that it is of the same use with Faith in their Justification. Baptism in that place of the Apostle, Act. 2.38, 39. is joined with Faith no less than Repentance. And in other places it is expresly put into the same condition. Hence most of the Antients concluded that it was no less necessary unto Salvation than Faith or Repentance it self. Yet never did any of them assign it the same use in Justification with Faith. But it is pleaded, whatever is a necessary condition of the new Covenant is also a necessary Condition of Justification. For otherwise a man might be justified, and continuing in his justified estate not be saved, for want of that necessary condition. For by a necessary Condition of the new Covenant they understand that, without which a man cannot be saved. But of this Nature is Repentance as well as Faith, ⟨p. 143⟩and so is equally a condition of our Justification. The Ambiguity of the signification of the word Condition, doth cast much disorder on the present enquiry, in the Discourses of some men. But to pass it by at present, I say final perseverance is a necessary condition of the New Covenant; wherefore by this Rule it is also of Justification. They say some things are Conditions absolutely, such as are Faith and Repentance, and a purpose of Obedience, some are so on some supposition only; namely, that a mans life be continued in this world, such is a course in Obedience and Good Works, and Perseverance unto the End. Wherefore I say then, that on supposition that a man lives in this World, perseverance unto the End is a necessary Condition of his Justification. And if so, no man can be justified whilst he is in this World. For a Condition doth suspend that whereof it is a Condition from Existence, until it be accomplished. It is then to no purpose to dispute any longer about Justification, if indeed no man is nor can be justified in this life.
