The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

1. That I shall not consider this Righteousness of our own absolutely in it self, but as it may be conceived to be improved and advanced by its Relation unto the satisfaction and merit of Christ; For many will grant that our inherent Righteousness is not of it self sufficient to justify us in the sight of God. But take it as it hath value and worth communicated unto it from the merit of Christ, and so it is accepted unto that End, and judged worthy of Eternal Life. We could not merit Life and Salvation, had not Christ merited that Grace ⟨p. 317⟩for us whereby we may do so; and merited also that our Works should be of such a Dignity with respect unto Reward. We shall therefore allow what worth can be reasonably thought to be communicated unto this Righteousness from its respect unto the Merit of Christ.

1. That I shall not consider this Righteousness of our own absolutely in it self, but as it may be conceived to be improved and advanced by its Relation unto the satisfaction and merit of Christ; For many will grant that our inherent Righteousness is not of it self sufficient to justifie us in the sight of God. But take it as it hath value and worth communicated unto it from the merit of Christ, and so it is accepted unto that End, and judged worthy of Eternal Life. We could not merit Life and Salvation, had not Christ merited that Grace ⟨p. 317⟩for us whereby we may do so; and merited also that our Works should be of such a Dignity with respect unto Reward. We shall therefore allow what worth can be reasonably thought to be communicated unto this Righteousness from its respect unto the Merit of Christ.

2. Whereas persons of all sorts and parties do take various ways in the assignation of an interest in our Justification unto our own Righteousness, so as that no parties are agreed about it, nor many of the same mind among themselves, as might easily be manifested in the Papists, Socinians, and others, I shall so far as it is possible in the ensuing Arguments have respect unto them all. For my design is to prove, that it hath no such Interest in our Justification before God, as that the Righteousness of Christ should not be esteemed the only Righteousness whereon we are justified.