The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

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 ⟨p. 300⟩Ninevites, so ordinarily it precedeth true saving Faith, and Justification thereby. Wherefore the necessity hereof, is no way weakened by the Doctrine of the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ, yea it is strengthened and made effectual thereby. For without it, in the order of the Gospel, an interest therein is not to be attained. And this is that which in the Old Testament is so often proposed as the means and conditions of turning away the Judgments and Punishments threatened unto sin. For it is true and sincere in its kind; neither do the Socinians require any other Repentance unto Justification. For as they deny true Evangelical Repentance in all the especial causes of it, so that which may and doth precede Faith in order of nature. is all that they require. This Objection therefore as managed by them, is a causeless vain pretence.

Ans. (1) It must be remembred, 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