The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

1. Some say it is the Ceremonial Law alone, and the Works of it that are intended; or the Law as given unto Moses on Mount Sinai, containing that entire Covenant that was afterwards to be abolished. This was of old the common opinion of the Schoolmen, though it be now generally exploded. And the opinion lately contended for, that the Apostle Paul excludes Justification from the Works of the Law, not because no Man can yield that perfect obedience which the Law requires, or excludes Works absolutely perfect, and sinless obedience; but because the Law it self, which he intends, could not justify any by the observation of it, is nothing but the renovation of this obsolete notion, that it is the Ceremonial Law only, or which upon the matter is all one, the Law given on Mount Sinai, abstracted from the Grace of the Promise, which could not justify any, in the observation of its Rites and Commands. But of all other conjectures, this is the most impertinent and contradictory unto the design of the Apostle, and is therefore rejected by Bellarmine himself. For the Apostle treats of that Law whose doers shall be justified. Chap: 2.13. And the Authors of this opinion would have it to be a Law that can justify none of them that do it. That Law he intends whereby is the knowledge of sin; for he gives this reason, ⟨p. 403⟩why we cannot be justified by the Works of it, namely, Because by it, is the knowledge of sin, Chap. 3.20. And by what Law is the knowledge of sin, he expressly declares, where he affirms, That he had not known Lust, except the Law had said, Thou shalt not covet, Chap. 7.7. which is the Moral Law alone. That Law he designs, which stops the mouth of all sinners, and makes all the World obnoxious unto the judgment of God. Chap. 3.19. Which none can do but the Law written in the heart of men at their Creation, Chap. 2.14, 15. That Law which if a man do the works of it, he shall live in them; Gal. 3.12. Rom. 10.5. and which brings all men under the Curse for sin, Gal. 3.10. The Law that is established by Faith and not made void; Rom. 3.31; which the Ceremonial Law is not, nor the Covenant of Sinai. The Law whose Righteousness is to be fulfilled in us;