The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

However, the weight and importance of this Doctrine is on all hands acknowledged, whether it be true or false. It is ⟨p. 228⟩not a dispute about Notions, Terms, and Speculations, wherein Christian Practice is little or not at all concerned, (of which nature many are needlessly contended about) but such as hath an immediate influence into our whole present Duty, with our eternal Welfare or Ruin. Those by whom this Imputation of Righteousness is rejected, do affirm that the Faith and Doctrine of it, do overthrow the necessity of Gospel Obedience, of personal Righteousness, and good Works, bringing in Antinomianism, and Libertinism in life. Hereon it must of necessity be destructive of Salvation, in those who believe it, and conform their Practice thereunto. And those on the other hand by whom it is believed, seeing they judge it impossible that any man should be justified before God any other way, but by the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ, do accordingly judge, that without it none can be saved. Hence a Learned man of late concludes his Discourse concerning it; Hactenus de Imputatione Justitiae Christi, sine qua nemo unquam aut salvatus est, aut salvari queat. Justificat. Paulin. cap. 8. Thus far of the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ, without which no man was ever saved, nor can any so be. They do not think nor judge, that all those are excluded from salvation, who cannot apprehend, or to deny the Doctrine of the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ, as by them declared. But they judge that they are so, unto whom that Righteousness is not really imputed; nor can they do otherwise, whilst they make it the foundation of all their own Acceptation with God and eternal salvation. These things greatly differ. To believe the Doctrine of it, or not to believe it, as thus or thus explained, is one thing; and to enjoy the thing, or not enjoy it, is another. I no way doubt, but that many men do receive more Grace from God, than they understand or will own; and have a greater efficacy of it in them, than they will believe. Men may be really saved, by that Grace which ⟨p. 229⟩Doctrinally they do deny; and they may be justified by the Imputation of that Righteousness which in opinion they deny to be imputed.

However, the weight and importance of this Doctrine is on all hands acknowledged, whether it be true or false. It is ⟨p. 228⟩