The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

4. This opinion puts an irreconcilable Difference between the Law and the Gospel, not to be composed by any distinctions. For according unto it, God declares by the Gospel a man to be perfectly Righteous, justified and blessed, upon the consideration of a Righteousness that is imperfect; and in the Law he pronounceth every one accursed who continueth not in all things required by it, and as they are therein required. But it is said that this Righteousness is no otherwise to be considered, but as the condition of the new Covenant whereon we obtain Remission of sins on the sole account of the satisfaction of Christ wherein our Justification doth consist.

4. This opinion puts an irreconcileable Difference between the Law and the Gospel, not to be composed by any distinctions. For according unto it, God declares by the Gospel a man to be perfectly Righteous, justified and blessed, upon the consideration of a Righteousness that is imperfect; and in the Law he pronounceth every one accursed who continueth not in all things required by it, and as they are therein required. But it is said that this Righteousness is no otherwise to be considered, but as the condition of the new Covenant whereon we obtain Remission of sins on the sole account of the satisfaction of Christ wherein our Justification doth consist.

Ans. 1. Some indeed do say so, but not all, not the most, not the most learned with whom in this controversy we have to do. And in our Pleas for what we believe to be the Truth, we cannot always have respect unto every private opinion whereby it is opposed. (2) That Justification consists only in the pardon of sin, is so contrary to the signification of the Word, the constant use of it in the Scripture, the common notion of it amongst mankind, the sense of men in their own Consciences who find themselves under an Obligation unto Duty, and express Testimonies of the Scripture, as that I somewhat wonder, how it can be pretended. But it shall be spoken unto elsewhere. (3) If this Righteousness, be the fulfilling of the condition of the new Covenant whereon we are justified, it must be in it self such as exactly answereth some Rule or Law of Righteousness and so be perfect, which it doth not; and therefore cannot bear the place of a Righteousness in our Justification. (4) That this Righteousness is the condition of our Justification before God, or of that interest in the Righteousness of Christ whereby we are justified, is not proved, nor ever will be.