The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

Let no man arrogate any thing unto himself, let no man glory in his own merits or good deeds, let no man boast of his power, let us all hope to find mercy by Lord Jesus, for we shall all stand before his Judgment-seat. Of him will I beg pardon, of him will I desire Indulgence, what other hope is there for sinners?

Wherefore if men will be turned off from a continual regard unto the Greatness, Holiness, and Majesty of God, by their Inventions in the Heat of Disputation, if they do forget a Reverential Consideration of what will become them, and what they may betake themselves unto, when they stand before his Tribunal, they may engage into such apprehensions, as they dare not abide by in their own personal Trial. For how shall man be just with God? Hence it hath been observed, that the School-men themselves in their Meditations and Devotional writings, wherein they had immediate thoughts of God with whom they had to do, did speak quite another Language as to Justification before God, then they do in their wrangling Philosophical fiery Disputes about it. And I had rather learn what some men really judge about their own Justification from their prayers, then their writings. Nor do I remember, that I did ever hear any good man in his prayers, use any expressions about Justification, pardon of sin, and Righteousness before God, wherein any plea from any thing in our selves was introduced or made use of. The Prayer of Daniel hath in this matter been the substance of their Supplications. O Lord! Righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces; we do not present our Supplications before thee for our own Righteousness, but for thy great mercies, O Lord hear, O Lord forgive, for thine own sake O my ⟨p. 17⟩God, Dan. 9.7, 18, 19. Or that of the Psalmist, Enter not into Judgement with thy servant O Lord, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified, Psal. 143.2. Or, If thou Lord mark Iniquity, Lord who shall stand; but there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared,