The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

1. That the continuation of our Justification is the continuation of the Imputation of Righteousness and the pardon of ⟨p. 205⟩sins. I do still suppose the imputation of Righteousness to concur unto our Justification, although we have not yet examined what Righteousness it is that is imputed. But that God in our Justification imputeth Righteousness unto us, is so expressly affirmed by the Apostle, as that it must not be called in question. Now the first act of God in the imputation of Righteousness cannot be repeated. And the actual pardon of sin after Justification, is an effect and consequent of that imputation of Righteousness. If any man sin, there is a Propitiation; deliver him, I have found a Ransom. Wherefore unto this actual pardon, there is nothing required, but the application of that Righteousness which is the cause of it, and this is done by Faith only.

1. That the continuation of our Justification is the continuation of the Imputation of Righteousness and the pardon of ⟨p. 205⟩sins. I do still suppose the imputation of Righteousness to concur unto our Justification, although we have not yet examined what Righteousness it is that is imputed. But that God in our Justification imputeth Righteousness unto us, is so expresly affirmed by the Apostle, as that it must not be called in question. Now the first act of God in the imputation of Righteousness cannot be repeated. And the actual pardon of sin after Justification, is an effect and consequent of that imputation of Righteousness. If any man sin, there is a Propitiation; deliver him, I have found a Ransome. Wherefore unto this actual pardon, there is nothing required, but the application of that Righteousness which is the cause of it, and this is done by Faith only.

2. The Continuation of our Justification, is before God, or in the sight of God no less than our absolute Justification is. We speak not of the sense and evidence of it unto our own Souls unto peace with God; nor of the evidencing and manifestation of it unto others by its effects; but of the continuance of it in the sight of God. Whatever therefore is the means, condition, or cause hereof, is pleadable before God, and ought to be pleaded unto that purpose. So then the enquiry is,