The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

CHAP. IX. The formal cause of Justification; or, The Righteousness on the Account whereof Believers are justified before God. Objection answered.

The principal differences about the Doctrine of Justification are reducible unto three Heads. (1) The nature of it; namely, whether it consist in an internal change of the Person justified by the infusion of an Habit of inherent Grace or Righteousness; or whether it be a Forensic Act, in the judging, esteeming, declaring, and pronouncing such a person to be Righteous, thereon absolving him from all his sins, giving unto him Right and Title unto life. Herein we have to do only with those of the Church of Rome, all others, both Protestants and Socinians being agreed on the Forensic sense of the word, and the nature of the thing signified thereby. And this I have already spoken unto, so far as our present design doth require, and that I hope with such evidence of Truth, as cannot well be gainsaid. Nor may it be supposed that we have too long insisted thereon, as an opinion which is obsolete, and long since sufficiently confuted. ⟨p. 290⟩I think much otherwise, and that those who avoid the Romanists in these Controversies, will give a greater appearance of fear, than of contempt. For when all is done, if free Justification through the Blood of Christ and the Imputation of his Righteousness, be not able to preserve its station, in the minds of men, the Popish Doctrine of Justification must and will return upon the world, with all the concomitants and consequences of it. Whilst any knowledge of the Law or Gospel is continued amongst us, the Consciences of men will at one time or other, living or dying, be really affected with a sense of sin, as unto its guilt and danger. Hence that Trouble and those Disquietments of mind will ensue, as will force men, be they never so unwilling, to seek after some Relief and Satisfaction. And what will not men attempt, who are reduced to the condition expressed, Micah. 6.7, 8. Wherefore in this case, if the true and only relief of distressed Consciences, of sinners who are weary and heavy laden be hid from their eyes; if they have no apprehension of, nor trust in that which alone they may oppose unto the sentence of the Law, and interpose between Gods Justice and their Souls, wherein they may take shelter from the storms of that wrath which abideth on them that believe not; they will betake themselves unto any thing which confidently tenders them present ease and relief.