The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

It is not therefore in many places of Scripture as Bellarmine grants, that the words we have insisted on, do signify the declaration or juridical pronunciation of any one to be Righteous, but in all places where they are used, they are ⟨p. 179⟩capable of no other but a Forensic sense; especially, is this evident where mention is made of Justification before God. And because in my judgment this one consideration doth sufficiently defeat all the pretences of those of the Roman Church about the nature of Justification, I shall consider what is excepted against the observation insisted on, and remove it out of our way.

It is not therefore in many places of Scripture as Bellarmine grants, that the words we have insisted on, do signifie the declaration or juridical pronuntiation of any one to be Righteous, but in all places where they are used, they are ⟨p. 179⟩capable of no other but a Forensick sense; especially, is this evident where mention is made of Justification before God. And because in my judgment this one consideration doth sufficiently defeat all the pretences of those of the Roman Church about the nature of Justification, I shall consider what is excepted against the observation insisted on, and remove it out of our way.

Lud. de Blanc. In his Reconciliatory endeavours on this Article of Justification (Thes. de usu & acceptatione vocis, Justificandi) grants unto the Papists, that the word [Greek or Hebrew] doth in sundry places of the New Testament, signify to renew, to sanctify, to infuse an habit of Holiness or Righteousness according as they plead. And there is no reason to think but he hath grounded that concession on those instances, which are most pertinent unto that purpose. Neither is it to be expected that a better countenance will be given by any unto this concession, then is given it by him. I shall therefore examine all the instances which he insists upon unto this purpose, and leave the determination of the difference unto the judgment of the Reader. Only I shall premise that which I judge not an unreasonable demand; namely, That if the signification of the word in any, or all the places which he mentions, should seem doubtful unto any (as it doth not unto me) that the uncertainty of a very few places, should not make us question the proper signification of a word, whose sense is determined in so many, wherein it is clear and unquestionable. The first place he mentioneth, is that of the Apostle Paul himself,