The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

Some do plead that Faith is the Condition of our Justification, and that otherwise it is not to be conceived of. As I said before, so I say again, I shall not contend with any man about Words, Terms, or Expressions, so long as what is intended by them, is agreed upon. And there is an obvious sense wherein Faith may be called the Condition of our Justification. For no more may be intended thereby, but that it is the Duty on our part which God requireth, that we may be justified. And this the whole Scripture beareth witness unto. Yet this hindereth not, but that as unto its Use, it may be the Instrument whereby we apprehend or receive Christ and his Righteousness. But to assert it the Condition of our Justification, or that we are justified by it as the Condition of the New Covenant, so as from a pre-conceived signification of that word, to give it another use in Justification exclusive of that pleaded for, as the Instrumental Cause thereof, is not easily to be admitted; because it supposeth an Alteration in the substance of the Doctrine it self.

Some do plead that Faith is the Condition of our Justification, and that otherwise it is not to be conceived of. As I said before, so I say again, I shall not contend with any man about Words, Terms, or Expressions, so long as what is intended by them, is agreed upon. And there is an obvious sense wherein Faith may be called the Condition of our Justification. For no more may be intended thereby, but that it is the Duty on our part which God requireth, that we may be justified. And this the whole Scripture beareth witness unto. Yet this hindereth not, but that as unto its Ʋse, it may be the Instrument whereby we apprehend or receive Christ and his Righteousness. But to assert it the Condition of our Justification, or that we are justified by it as the Condition of the New Covenant, so as from a pre-conceived signification of that word, to give it another use in Justification exclusive of that pleaded for, as the Instrumental Cause thereof, is not easily to be admitted; because it supposeth an Alteration in the substance of the Doctrine it self.

The Word is no where used in the Scripture in this matter; which I argue no farther, but that we have no certain Rule or Standard to try and measure its signification by. Wherefore it cannot first be introduced in what sense men please, and then that sense turned into Argument for other Ends. For thus on a supposed concession, that it is the Condition of our Justification, some heighten it into a subordinate Righteousness, imputed unto us, antecedently as I suppose, unto the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ in any sense, whereof it is the Condition. And some who pretend to lessen its efficiency or dignity in the use of it in our Justification say, it is only causa sine qua non, which leaves us at as great an uncertainty as to the nature and efficacy of this Condition