The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

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.

Ans. 1. Some indeed do say so, but not all, not the most, not the most learned with whom in this controversie 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.