The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

A man cannot be justified in any sense by that Righteousness which upon Trial will appear rather to be an Unrighteousness.

A man cannot be justified in any sense by that Righteousness which upon Trial will appear rather to be an Ʋnrighteousness.

2. It is imperfect with respect unto every Act and Duty of it, whether internal or external. There is Iniquity cleaving unto our holy things, and all our Righteousnesses are as filthy rags, Isa. 64.6. It hath been often and well observed, that if a man, the best of men, were left to choose the best of his works that ever he performed, and thereon to enter into Judgment with God, if only under this notion, that he hath answered and fulfilled the Condition required of him, as unto his Acceptation with God, it would be his wisest course, (at least it would be so in the Judgment of Bellarmin) to renounce it, and betake himself unto Grace and Mercy alone.

2. It is imperfect with respect unto every Act and Duty of it, whether internal or external. There is Iniquity cleaving unto our holy things, and all our Righteousnesses are as filthy raggs, Isa. 64.6. It hath been often and well observed, that if a man, the best of men, were left to choose the best of his works that ever he performed, and thereon to enter into Judgment with God, if only under this notion, that he hath answered and fulfilled the Condition required of him, as unto his Acceptation with God, it would be his wisest course, (at least it would be so in the Judgment of Bellarmin) to renounce it, and betake himself unto Grace and Mercy alone.