The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

2. It is pleaded by the same Author and others; That the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ, overthroweth all necessity ⟨p. 299⟩of Repentance for sin, in order unto the Remission or Pardon thereof, yea rendereth it altogether needless. For what need hath he of Repentance for sin, who by the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ, is esteemed completely Just and Righteous in the sight of God. If Christ satisfied for all sins in the Person of the Elect; if as our Surety he paid all our Debts, and if his Righteousness be made ours before we repent, then is all Repentance needless. And these things are much enlarged on by the same Author in the place before-mentioned.

2. It is pleaded by the same Author and others; That the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ, overthroweth all necessity ⟨p. 299⟩of Repentance for sin, in order unto the Remission or Pardon thereof, yea rendreth it altogether needless. For what need hath he of Repentance for sin, who by the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ, is esteemed compleatly Just and Righteous in the sight of God. If Christ satisfied for all sins in the Person of the Elect; if as our Surety he paid all our Debts, and if his Righteousness be made ours before we repent, then is all Repentance needless. And these things are much enlarged on by the same Author in the place before-mentioned.

Ans. (1) It must be remembered, that we require Evangelical Faith in order of nature antecedently unto our Justification by the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ unto us, which also is the condition of its continuation. Wherefore whatever is necessary thereunto, is in like manner required of us in order unto Believing. Amongst these, there is a sorrow for sin, and a Repentance of it. For whosoever is convinced of sin in a due manner, so as to be sensible of its Evil and Guilt, both as in its own nature it is contrary unto the preceptive part of the Holy Law, and in the necessary consequences of it, in the wrath and curse of God, cannot but be perplexed in his mind, that he hath involved himself therein. And that posture of mind will be accompanied with shame, fear, sorrow, and other afflictive passions. Hereon a Resolution doth ensue, utterly to abstain from it for the future, with sincere endeavours unto that purpose, issuing if there be time and space for it, in Reformation of Life. And in a sense of sin, Sorrow for it, Fear concerning it, Abstinence from it, and Reformation of Life, a Repentance true in its kind doth consist. This Repentance is usually called legal, because its motives are principally taken from the Law; but yet there is moreover required unto it that temporary Faith of the Gospel which we have before described. And as it doth usually produce great effects in the confession of sin, Humiliation for it, and change of life, as in Ahab and the