The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

This Word therefore, whether the act of God towards men, or of men towards God, or of men among themselves, or of one towards another be expressed thereby, is always used in a Forensic sense, and doth not denote a Physical operation, Transfusion or Transmutation. 2 Sam. 15.4. If any man hath a Suit or Cause let him come to me, [Greek or Hebrew] and I will do him Justice; I will Justify him, judge in his Cause and pronounce for him. Deut. 25.1. If there be a Controversy among men, and they come to Judgment, that the Judges may judge them, [Greek or Hebrew] they shall justify the Righteous, pronounce sentence on his side, whereunto is opposed [Greek or Hebrew] and they shall condemn the wicked; make him wicked, as the Word signifies; that is, judge, declare and pronounce ⟨p. 174⟩him wicked, whereby he becomes so judicially, and in the eye of the Law; as the other is made Righteous, by declaration and acquitment. He doth not say this shall pardon the Righteous, which to suppose would overthrow both the Antithesis and design of the place. And [Greek or Hebrew] is as much to infuse wickedness into a man, as [Greek or Hebrew] is to infuse a principle of Grace or Righteousness into him. The same Antithesis occurs; Prov. 17.15. [Greek or Hebrew] He that justifieth the wicked, and condemneth the Righteous. Not he that maketh the wicked inherently Righteous, not he that changeth him inherently from Unrighteous unto Righteousness: But he that without any Ground, Reason or Foundation acquits him in Judgment, or declares him to be Righteous, is an Abomination unto the Lord. And although this be spoken of the Judgment of men, yet the Judgment of God also is according unto this Truth. For although he Justifieth the Ungodly, those who are so in themselves; yet he doth it on the ground and consideration of a perfect Righteousness made theirs by Imputation; and by another act of his Grace, that they may be meet Subjects of this Righteous Favour, really and inherently changeth them from Unrighteousness unto Holiness, by the Renovation of their Natures: And these things are singular in the actings of God, which nothing amongst men hath any Resemblance unto or can represent.

This Word therefore, whether the act of God towards men, or of men towards God, or of men among themselves, or of one towards another be expressed thereby, is always used in a Forensick sense, and doth not denote a Physical operation, Transfusion or Transmutation.