The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

There are indeed sundry differences among Persons Learned, Sober, and Orthodox (if that term displease not) in the way and manner of the Explication of the Doctrine of Justification by the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ, who yet all of them agree in the substance of it, in all those things wherein the Grace of God, the Honour of Christ, and the Peace of the Souls of men are principally concerned. As far as it is possible for me, I shall avoid the concerning of my self at present, in these Differences. For unto what purpose is it to contend about them, whilst the substance of the Doctrine it self is openly opposed and rejected? why should we debate about the order and beautifying of the Rooms in an House, whilst Fire is set unto the whole? when that is well quenched, we may return to the consideration of the best means for the disposal and use of the several parts of it.

There are two grand Parties by whom the Doctrine of Justification by the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ is opposed, namely, the Papists and the Socinians. But they proceed on different principles, and unto different Ends. The design of the one is to exalt their own Merits, of the other to destroy the merit of Christ. But besides these who trade in company, we have many Interlopers, who coming in on their hand, do make bold to borrow from both, as they see occasion. We shall have to do with them all in our progress; not with the Persons of any, nor the way and manner of their expressing themselves, but the Opinions of all of them so far as they are opposite unto the Truth. For it is that which wise men despise and good men bewail, to see persons pretending unto Religion and Piety, to cavil at Expressions, to contend about Words, to endeavour the fastening of Opinions on men which they own not, and thereon mutually ⟨p. 231⟩to revile one another, publishing all to the World, as some great achievement or victory. This is not the way to teach them truths of the Gospel, nor to promote the Edification of Church. But in general, the Importance of the cause to be pleaded, the Greatness of the opposition that is made unto the Truth, and the high concernment of the Souls of Believers, to be rightly instructed in it, do call for a renewed Declaration and Vindication of it. And what I shall attempt unto this purpose, I do it under this persuasion, that the life and continuance of any Church on the one hand, and its Apostasy or Ruin on the other, do depend in an eminent manner on the Preservation or Rejection of the Truth in this Article of Religion; (and I shall add) as it hath been professed, received, and believed in the Church of England in former days.