The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

1. The first Enquiry in this matter in a way of Duty, is after the proper Relief of the Conscience of a sinner, pressed and perplexed with a sense of the Guilt of sin. For Justification is the way and means whereby such a person doth obtain acceptance before God, with a Right and Title unto an heavenly Inheritance. And nothing is pleadable in this cause, but what a man would speak unto his own Conscience in that state, or unto the Conscience of another, when he is anxious under that Enquiry. Wherefore, The Person under consideration, that is, who is to be Justified, is one who in himself is [Greek or Hebrew] Rom. 4.5. Ungodly; and thereon [Greek or Hebrew]; Chap. 3.19. guilty before God; that is, obnoxious, subject, liable [Greek or Hebrew], Chap. 1.32; to the righteous sentential Judgment of God; that he who committeth sin, who is in any way guilty of it, is worthy of Death. Hereupon such ⟨p. 2⟩a person finds himself [Greek or Hebrew] Gal. 3.10; under the curse, and the wrath of God therein abiding on him, Joh. 3.18, 36. In this condition he is [Greek or Hebrew]; without plea, without excuse, by any thing in and from himself, for his own relief; His mouth is stopped, Rom. 3.19. For he is in the Judgment of God declared in the Scripture [Greek or Hebrew]; Gal. 3.22; every way shut up under sin and all the consequents of it. Many Evils in this condition are men subject unto, which may be reduced unto those two of our first Parents wherein they were represented. For first, they thought foolishly to hide themselves from God; and then more foolishly would have charged him as the cause of their sin. And such naturally are the thoughts of men under their convictions. But whoever is the subject of the Justification enquired after, is by various means brought into his Apprehensions, who cried, Sirs! What must I do to be saved?

1. The first Enquiry in this matter in a way of Duty, is after the proper Relief of the Conscience of a sinner, pressed and perplexed with a sense of the Guilt of sin. For Justification is the way and means whereby such a person doth obtain acceptance before God, with a Right and Title unto an heavenly Inheritance. And nothing is pleadable in this cause, but what a man would speak unto his own Conscience in that state, or unto the Conscience of another, when he is anxious under that Enquiry. Wherefore, The Person under consideration, that is, who is to be Justified, is one who in himself is