The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

But there seems to be more of reality and difficulty in what is pleaded concerning the continuation of our Justification. For those that are freely justified, are continued in that state until they are glorified. By Justification they are really changed into a new spiritual state and condition, and have a new Relation given them unto God and Christ, unto the Law and the Gospel. And it is enquired what it is whereon their Continuation in this state doth on their part depend; or what is required of them that they may be justified unto the End. And this as some say is not Faith alone, but also the works of sincere Obedience. And none can deny but that they are required of all them that are justified, whilst they continue in a state of Justification on this side Glory, which next and immediately ensues thereunto. But whether upon our Justification at first before God, Faith be immediately dismissed from its place and office, and its work be given over unto works, so as that the continuation of our Justification should depend on our own personal Obedience, and not on the renewed Application of Faith unto Christ and his Righteousness, is worth our enquiry. Only I desire the ⟨p. 199⟩Reader to observe that which was the necessity of owning a personal Obedience in justified persons, is on all hands absolutely agreed, the seeming difference that is herein, concerns not the substance of the Doctrine of Justification, but the manner of expressing our conceptions concerning the order of the Disposition of Gods Grace, and our own Duty, unto Edification, wherein I shall use my own liberty, as it is meet others should do theirs. And I shall offer my thoughts hereunto in the ensuing observations.

1. Justification is such a work as is at once completed in all the causes, and the whole effect of it, though not as unto the full possession of all that it gives Right and Title unto. For (1) All our sins past, present, and to come, were at once imputed unto and laid upon Jesus Christ; in what sense, we shall afterwards enquire. He was wounded for our Transgressions, He was bruised for our Iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes are we healed. All we like Sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath made to meet on Him the Iniquities of us all,