The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

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 ⟨p. 221⟩these things are evident in themselves. God doth require an Evangelical Righteousness in all that do believe. This Christ is not, nor is it the Righteousness of Christ. He may be said to be our legal Righteousness, but our Evangelical Righteousness he is not. And so far as we are Righteous with any Righteousness, so far we are justified by it. For according unto this Evangelical Righteousness, we must be tried; if we have it we shall be acquitted, and if we have it not, we shall be condemned. There is therefore a Justification according unto it.

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 expresly 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 soveraign 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,