The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

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,

What it is that, when a Justified person is guilty of Sin (as guilty he is more or less every day) and his Conscience is pressed with a sense thereof, as that only thing which can endanger or intercept his justified Estate, his Favour with God, and Title unto Glory, he betakes himself unto, or ought so to do, for the continuance of his State, and pardon of his Sins, what he pleadeth unto that purpose, and what is available thereunto. That this is not his own Obedience, his personal Righteousness, or fulfilling the condition of the new Covenant, is evident, from (1) the experience of Believers themselves; (2) Testimony of Scripture, and (3) the Example of them whose cases are recorded therein.

1. Let the experience of them that do believe be enquired into; for their Consciences are continually exercised herein. What is it that they betake themselves unto, what is it that they plead with God, for the continuance of the pardon of their Sins, and the acceptance of their persons before him? Is it any thing but Sovereign Grace and Mercy, through the Blood of Christ? Are not all the Arguments which they plead unto this end, taken from the Topics, of the name of God, his Mercy, Grace, Faithfulness, tender Compassion, Covenant and Promises, all manifested, and exercised in and through the Lord Christ and his mediation alone? Do they not herein place their only trust and confidence for this end, that their Sins may be pardoned, and their persons, though every way unworthy in themselves be accepted with God? Doth any other thought enter into their Hearts? Do they plead their own Righteousness, Obedience, and Duties to this purpose? Do they leave the prayer of the Publican, and betake themselves unto that of the Pharisee? And is it not of Faith alone, which is that Grace whereby they apply themselves unto the Mercy or Grace of God through the mediation of Christ? It is true that Faith herein, worketh and acteth it self in and by Godly sorrow, Repentance, Humiliation, Self-judging, and Abhorrency, Fervency in Prayer and Supplications with an humble waiting for an Answer of Peace from God, with engagements unto renewed Obedience. But it is Faith alone that makes Applications unto Grace in the Blood of Christ, for the continuation of our justified Estate, expressing it self in those other ways and effects mentioned, from none of which a Believing Soul doth expect the Mercy aimed at.