The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

7. This Personal inherent Righteousness wherewith we are said to be justified with this Evangelical Justification, is our own Righteousness. Personal Righteousness and our own Righteousness, are expressions equivalent. But our own Righteousness is not the material cause of any Justification before God. For (1) It is unmeet so to be. Isa. 54.6. (2) It is directly opposed unto that Righteousness whereby we are justified, as inconsistent with it unto that end, Phil. 3.9. Rom. 10.3, 4.

It will be said that our own Righteousness is the Righteousness of the Law; but this Personal Righteousness is Evangelical. But (1) It will be hard to prove, that our Personal Righteousness is any other but our own Righteousness; and our own Righteousness is expressly rejected from any Interest in our Justification, in the places quoted. (2) That Righteousness which is Evangelical in respect of its efficient cause, its motives and some especial Ends, is legal in respect of the formal Reason of it, and our Obligation unto it. For there is no Instance of Duty belonging unto it, but in general we are obliged unto its performance by virtue of the first Commandment, to take the Lord for our God. Acknowledging therein his essential verity and sovereign Authority; we are obliged to believe all that he shall reveal, and to obey in all that he shall command. (3) The Good Works rejected from any Interest in our Justification, are those whereunto we are created in Christ Jesus, Ephes. 2.8, 9. the Works of Righteousness which we have done, Tit. 3.5. wherein the Gentiles are concerned, who never sought for Righteousness by the Works of the Law, Rom. 9.30. But it will yet be said that