The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

Hence many persons living all their days in an ignorance of the Righteousness of God, are oftentimes on their sick Beds, and in their dying hours, proselyted unto a confidence in the ways of Rest and Peace, which the Romanists impose upon them. For such seasons of advantage do they wait for, unto the Reputation as they suppose of their own Zeal, in truth unto the scandal of Christian Religion. But finding at any time the Consciences of men under disquietments, and ignorant of, or disbelieving that Heavenly relief which is provided in the Gospel, they are ready with their Applications and Medicines, ⟨p. 291⟩having on them pretended Approbations of the experience of many Ages, and an innumerable company of devout Souls in them. Such is their Doctrine of Justification, with the Addition of those other Ingredients of Confession, Absolution, Penances or Commutations, Aids from Saints and Angels, especially the blessed Virgin, all warmed by the Fire of Purgatory, and confidently Administered unto Persons, sick of Ignorance, Darkness and Sin. And let none please themselves in the Contempt of these things. If the truth concerning Evangelical Justification be once disbelieved among us, or obliterated by any Artifices, out of the minds of men, unto these things at one time or other, they must and will betake themselves. For the new Schemes and Projections of Justification which some at present would supply us withal, they are now way suited, nor able to give Relief or Satisfaction unto a Conscience really troubled for Sin, and seriously enquiring how it may have Rest and Peace with God. I shall take the boldness therefore to say, whoever be offended at it; that if we lose the ancient Doctrine of Justification through Faith in the Blood of Christ, and the Imputation of his Righteousness unto us, public profession or Religion, will quickly issue in Popery, or Atheism, or at least in what is the next door unto it, [Greek or Hebrew].

Hence many persons living all their days in an ignorance of the Righteousness of God, are oftentimes on their sick Beds, and in their dying hours, proselyted unto a confidence in the ways of Rest and Peace, which the Romanists impose upon them. For such seasons of advantage do they wait for, unto the Reputation as they suppose of their own Zeal, in truth unto the scandal of Christian Religion. But finding at any time the Consciences of men under disquietments, and ignorant of, or disbelieving that Heavenly relief which is provided in the Gospel, they are ready with their Applications and Medicines,