The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

And in truth, this is the opinion of the most of our Adversaries in this cause: For they do contend, that over and above the remission of sin, which some of them say is absolute, without any respect unto the merit or satisfaction of Christ, others refer it unto them; they all contend that there is moreover, a Righteousness of Works required unto our Justification; only they say, this is our own incomplete, imperfect Righteousness, imputed unto us, as if it were perfect, that is, for what it is not; and not the Righteousness of Christ imputed unto us for what it is.

From what hath been discoursed, it is evident that unto our Justification before God, is required, Not only that we be freed from the damnatory sentence of the Law, which we are by the pardon of sin, but moreover, that the Righteousness of the Law be fulfilled in us, or, that we have a Righteousness answering the Obedience that the Law requires, whereon our acceptance with God, through the riches of his ⟨p. 389⟩Grace, and our Title unto the heavenly Inheritance do depend. This we have not in and of our selves, nor can attain unto, as hath been proved. Wherefore the perfect Obedience and Righteousness of Christ is imputed unto us, or in the sight of God we can never be Justified.

Nor are the cavilling Objections of the Socinians, and those that follow them, of any force against the Truth herein. They tell us that the Righteousness of Christ can be imputed but unto one, if unto any. For who can suppose that the same Righteousness of One should become the Righteousness of many, even of all that believe. Besides he performed not all the Duties that are required of us in all our Relations, he being never placed in them. These things I say, are both foolish and impious, destructive unto the whole Gospel. For all things here depend on the Ordination of God. It is his Ordinance that as through the offence of One many are dead; so his Grace, and the Gift of Grace, through one man Christ Jesus hath abounded unto many; and as by the Offence of one Judgment came upon all men unto Condemnation, so by the Righteousness of One, the free Gift came upon all unto the Righteousness of life, and by the Obedience of One many are made Righteous; as the Apostle argues