The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

4. By this inherent Personal Righteousness, we may be said several ways to be justified. As (1) In our own Consciences, in as much as it is an Evidence in us and unto us, of our Participation of the Grace of God in Christ Jesus, and of our Acceptance with him, which hath no small Influence into our Peace. So speaks the Apostle; Our rejoicing is this, the Testimony of our Conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly Wisdom, but by the Grace of God, we have had our Conversation in the World, 2. Cor. 1.12. who yet disclaims any confidence therein as unto his Justification before God. For saith he, although I know nothing by my self, yet am I not thereby justified, 1 Cor. 4.4. (2) Hereby may we be said to be justified before men; that is, acquitted of evils laid unto our charge, and approved as righteous and unblameable. For the state of things is so in the World, as that the Professors of the Gospel ever were and ever will be, evil spoken of as evil doers. The Rule given them to acquit themselves, so as that at length they may be acquitted and justified by all that are not absolutely blinded and hardened in wickedness, is that of an holy and fruitful walking in abounding in good works, 1 Pet. 2.12. chap. 3.16. And so is it with respect unto the Church, that we be not judged dead, barren Professors, but such as have been made partakers of the like precious Faith with others. Show me thy Faith by thy Works, Jam. 2. Wherefore (3) This Righteousness ⟨p. 217⟩is pleadable unto our Justification against all the charges of Satan, who is the great Accuser of the Brethren, of all that believe. Whether he manage his charge privately in our Consciences, which is as it were before God, as he charged Job, or by his instruments in all manner of reproaches and calumnies, whereof some in this Age have had experience in an eminent manner, this Righteousness is pleadable unto our Justification.

4. By this inherent Personal Righteousness, we may be said several ways to be justified. As (1) In our own Consciences, in as much as it is an Evidence in us and unto us, of our Participation of the Grace of God in Christ Jesus, and of our Acceptance with him, which hath no small Influence into our Peace. So speaks the Apostle; Our rejoycing is this, the Testimony of our Conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly Wisdom, but by the Grace of God, we have had our Conversation in the World,