The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

Two things are pleaded in the behalf of this Righteousness and its Influence into our Justification. (1) That it is absolutely complete and perfect. Hence some say that they are perfect and sinless in this life. They have no more concern in the mortification of sin, nor of growth in Grace. And indeed this is the only rational pretence of ascribing our Justification before God thereunto. For were it so with any, what should hinder him from being justified thereon before God, but only that he hath been a sinner, which spoils the whole market. But this vain Imagination is so contrary unto the Scripture, and the Experience of all that know the Terror of the Lord, and what it is to walk humbly before him, as that I shall not insist on the Refutation of it.

Two things are pleaded in the behalf of this Righteousness and its Influence into our Justification. (1) That it is absolutely compleat and perfect. Hence some say that they are perfect and sinless in this life. They have no more concern in the mortification of sin, nor of growth in Grace. And indeed this is the only rational pretence of ascribing our Justification before God thereunto. For were it so with any, what should hinder him from being justified thereon before God, but only that he hath been a sinner, which spoils the whole market. But this vain Imagination is so contrary unto the Scripture, and the Experience of all that know the Terrour of the Lord, and what it is to walk humbly before him, as that I shall not insist on the Refutation of it.

2. It is pleaded, that although this Righteousness be not an exact fulfilling of the moral Law, yet is it the Accomplishment of the Condition of the New Covenant, or entirely answereth the Law of Grace, and all that is required of us therein.

Ans. 1. This wholly takes away sin and the pardon of it, no less then doth the conceit of sinless perfections which we now rejected. For if our Obedience do answer the only Law and Rule of it whereby it is to be tried, measured and judged, then is there no sin in us, nor need of pardon. No more is required of any man to keep him absolutely free from sin, but that he fully answer, and exactly comply with the Rule and Law of his Obedience whereby he must be judged. On this supposition therefore there is neither sin, nor any need of the pardon of it. To say that there is still both sin, and need of pardon with respect unto the moral Law of God, is to confess that Law to be the Rule of our Obedience, which this Righteousness doth no way answer; and therefore none by it can be justified in the sight of God.