The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

2. Justifying Faith includeth in its nature the entire principle of Evangelical Repentance, so as that it is utterly impossible that a man should be a true Believer, and not at the same instant of time be truly penitent. And therefore are they so frequently conjoined in the Scripture as one simultaneous Duty. Yea the call of the Gospel unto Repentance is a call to Faith, acting it self by Repentance. So the sole Reason of that Call unto Repentance which the forgiveness of sins is annexed unto, (Act. 2.38.) is the Proposal of the Promise which is the Object of Faith, ver. 39. And those Conceptions and Affections which a man hath about sin, with a sorrow for it and Repentance of it, upon a legal Conviction, being enlivened and made Evangelical by the Introduction of Faith as a new Principle of them, and giving new Motives unto them, do become Evangelical; so impossible is it that Faith should be without Repentance. Wherefore although the first Act of Faith, and its only proper exercise unto Justification, doth respect the Grace of God in Christ and the way of Salvation by him, as proposed in the Promise of the ⟨p. 301⟩Gospel, yet is not this conceived in order of time to precede its actings in self-displicency, godly sorrow, and universal conversion from sin unto God; nor can it be so, seeing it virtually and radically containeth all of them in it self. However therefore Evangelical Repentance is not the Condition of our Justification, so as to have any direct Influence thereinto; nor are we said any where to be justified by Repentance; nor is it conversant about the proper object which alone the Soul respects therein; nor is a direct and immediate giving Glory unto God, on the account of the way and work of his Wisdom and Grace in Christ Jesus, but a consequent thereof; nor is that Reception of Christ which is expressly required unto our Justification, and which alone is required thereunto; yet is it in the Root, Principle, and Promptitude of mind for its exercise, in every one that is justified, then when he is justified. And it is peculiarly proposed with respect unto the Forgiveness of sins, as that without which it is impossible we should have any true sense or comfort of it in our Souls; but it is not so as any part of that Righteousness on the consideration whereof our sins are pardoned, nor as that whereby we have an Interest therein.

2. Justifying Faith includeth in its nature the entire principle of Evangelical Repentance, so as that it is utterly impossible that a man should be a true Believer, and not at the same instant of time be truly penitent. And therefore are they so frequently conjoined in the Scripture as one simultaneous Duty. Yea the call of the Gospel unto Repentance is a call to Faith, acting it self by Repentance. So the sole Reason of that Call unto Repentance which the forgiveness of sins is annexed unto, (