The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

The last place wherein he grants this signification of the word [Greek or Hebrew] is Revel. 22.11. [Greek or Hebrew], qui Justus est, Justificetur adhuc; which place is pleaded by all the Romanists. And our Author says, they are but few among the Protestants who do not acknowledge that the word cannot be here used in a Forensic sense▪ but that to be justified, is to go on and increase in Piety and Righteousness.

The last place wherein he grants this signification of the word 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 is Revel. 22.11. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, qui Justus est, Justificetur adhuc; which place is pleaded by all the Romanists. And our Author says, they are but few among the Protestants who do not acknowledge that the word cannot be here used in a Forensick sense▪ but that to be justified, is to go on and encrease in Piety and Righteousness.

Answ. But (1) There is a great objection lies in the way of any Argument from these words; namely, from the various ⟨p. 185⟩Reading of the place. For many ancient Copies read not [Greek or Hebrew]; which the vulgar renders Justificetur adhuc, but [Greek or Hebrew]; Let him that is Righteous work Righteousness still, as doth the Printed Copy which now lieth before me. So it was in the Copy of the Complutensian Edition which Stephens commends above all others; and in one more ancient Copy that he used. So it is in the Syriac and Arabic published by Huterus, and in our own Polyglot. So Cyprian reads the words de bono patientiae; Justus autem adhuc justiora faciat, similiter & qui sanctus sanctiora. And I doubt not but that is the true reading of the place; [Greek or Hebrew] being supplied by some to comply with [Greek or Hebrew] that ensues. And this phrase of [Greek or Hebrew] is peculiar unto this Apostle, being no where used in the New Testament, (nor it may be in any other Author) but by him. And he useth it expressly; 1 Epist. 2.29. and Chap. 3.7. where those words, [Greek or Hebrew], do plainly contain what is here expressed. (2) To be justified, as the word is rendered by the vulgar, let him be justified more (as it must be rendered, if the word [Greek or Hebrew] be retained) respects an act of God, which neither in its beginning nor continuation is prescribed unto us as a duty, nor is capable of increase in degrees as we shall show afterwards. (3) Men are said to be [Greek or Hebrew] generally from inherent Righteousness; and if the Apostle had intended Justification in this place, he would not have said [Greek or Hebrew] but [Greek or Hebrew]. All which things prefer the Complutensian, Syriac, and Arabic, before the vulgar reading of this place. If the vulgar reading be retained, no more can be intended, but that he who is Righteous, should so proceed in working Righteousness, as to secure his justified estate unto himself, and to manifest it before God and the World.