The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

CHAP. IV. Of Justification, the notion and signification of the Word in the Scripture.

Unto the right understanding of the nature of Justification, the proper sense and signification of these words themselves, Justification and to justify, is to be enquired into. For until that is agreed upon, it is impossible that our Discourses concerning the thing it self should be freed from equivocation. Take words in various senses, and all may be true that is contradictorily affirmed or denied concerning what they are supposed to signify. And so it hath actually fallen out in this case, as we shall see more fully afterwards. Some taking these words in one sense, some in another, have appeared to deliver contrary Doctrines concerning the thing it self, or our Justification before God; who yet have fully agreed in what the proper determinate sense or signification of the words doth import. And therefore the true meaning of them hath been declared and vindicated already by many. But whereas the right stating hereof, is of more moment ⟨p. 170⟩unto the Determination of what is principally controverted about the Doctrine it self, or the thing signified, than most do apprehend; and something at least remains to be added for the Declaration and Vindication of the import and only signification of these words in the Scripture, I shall give an account of my observations concerning it, with what diligence I can.

UNto the right understanding of the nature of Justification, the proper sense and signification of these words themselves, Justification and to justifie, is to be enquired into. For until that is agreed upon, it is impossible that our Discourses concerning the thing it self should be freed from equivocation. Take words in various senses, and all may be true that is contradictorily affirmed or denied concerning what they are supposed to signifie. And so it hath actually fallen out in this case, as we shall see more fully afterwards. Some taking these words in one sense, some in another, have appeared to deliver contrary Doctrines concerning the thing it self, or our Justification before God; who yet have fully agreed in what the proper determinate sense or sigfication of the words doth import. And therefore the true meaning of them hath been declared and vindicated already by many. But whereas the right stating hereof, is of more moment