The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

Wherefore we say the Faith whereby we are justified is such as is not found in any but those who are made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and by him united unto Christ, whose Nature is renewed, and in whom there is a principle of all Grace and purpose of Obedience. Only we say it is not any other Grace, as Charity, and the like, nor any Obedience that gives life and form unto this Faith; but it is this Faith that gives life and efficacy unto all other Graces, and form unto all Evangelical Obedience. Neither doth any thing hence accrue unto our Adversaries, who would have all those Graces which are in their Root and Principle at least, present in all that are to be justified, to have the same influence unto our Justification as Faith hath; or that we are said to be justified by Faith alone, and in Explication of it in answer unto the ⟨p. 142⟩Reproaches of the Romanists, do say we are justified by Faith alone, but not by that Faith which is alone, that we intend by Faith all other Graces and Obedience also. For besides that, the nature of no other Grace is capable of that Office which is assigned unto Faith in our Justification, nor can be assumed into a society in operation with it, namely, to receive Christ, and the promises of life by him, and to give Glory unto God on their Account; so when they can give us any Testimony of Scripture assigning our Justification unto any other Grace, or all Graces together, or all the Fruits of them, so as it is assigned unto Faith, they shall be attended unto.

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,