The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

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.

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