The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

But we may more distinctly consider the use of this Word in the New Testament, as we have done that of [Greek or Hebrew] in the Old▪ And that which we enquire concerning is, whether this word be used in the New Testament, in a Forensic sense to denote an Act of Jurisdiction, or in a Physical sense to express an internal change or mutation, the infusion of an habit of Righteousness, and the denomination of the person to be Justified thereon; or whether it signifieth not pardon of sin. But this we may lay aside; For surely no man was ever yet so fond, as to pretend that [Greek or Hebrew] did signify to pardon sin; yet is it the only word applied to express our Justification in the New Testament. For if it be taken only in the former sense, then that which is pleaded for by those of the Roman Church, under the name of Justification, whatever it be, however good, useful and necessary, yet Justification it is not, nor can be so called; seeing it is a thing quite of another nature than what alone is signified by that word. Matth. 11.19. [Greek or Hebrew]; Wisdom is justified of her Children, not made just, but approved and declared. Chap. 12.37. [Greek or Hebrew]; by the words thou shalt be Justified; not made just by them, but judged according to them, as is manifest in the Antithesis, [Greek or Hebrew]; and by thy ⟨p. 178⟩words thou shalt be condemned. Luke. 7.29. [Greek or Hebrew]; they justified God; not surely by making him Righteous in himself, but by owning, avowing and declaring his Righteousness; Chap. 10.29. [Greek or Hebrew]; He willing to justify himself, to declare and maintain his own Righteousness. To the same purpose; Chap. 16.15. [Greek or Hebrew]; you are they that justify your selves before men, they did not make themselves internally Righteous, but approved of their own condition; as our Saviour declares in the place; Chap. 18.14. The Publican went down [Greek or Hebrew] Justified unto his House; that is acquitted, absolved, pardoned, upon the confession of his sin, and supplication for Remission. Act. 13.38, 39. with Rom. 2.13. [Greek or Hebrew]. The doers of the Law shall be justified. The place declares directly the nature of our Justification before God, and puts the signification of the word out of question. For Justification ensues, as the whole effect of inherent Righteousness according unto the Law: