The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

For when the Apostle hath excluded all such Justification by the Law and the works thereof, he doth not advance in opposition unto them and in their room, our own Faith and Obedience; but adds, being justified freely by his Grace through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ, whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through Faith in his blood.

3. Some of late among our selves, and they want not them who have gone before them, affirm that the Works which the Apostle excludes from Justification, are only the Outward Works of the Law, performed without an inward Principle of Faith, fear or the Love of God. Servile Works attended unto from a respect unto the Threatening of the Law, are those which will not justify us. But this Opinion is not only false but impious. For (1.) The Apostle excludes the Works of Abraham which were not such outward servile Works as are imagined. (2.) The Works excluded are those which the Law requires; and the Law is holy, just and good. But a Law that requires only outward Works without internal Love to God, is neither holy, just nor Good. (3.) The Law ⟨p. 406⟩Condemns all such Works as are separated from the internal Principle of Faith, Fear and Love, for it requires that in all our Obedience we should love the Lord our God with all our hearts. And the Apostle saith, that we are not justified by the Works which the Law condemns, but not by them which the Law commands. (4.) It is highly reflexive on the honour of God, that he unto whose Divine Prerogative it belongs to know the Hearts of men alone, and therefore regards them alone in all the duties of their Obedience, should give a Law requiring outward servile Works only; for if the Law intended require more, then are not those the only Works excluded.

3. Some of late among our selves, and they want not them who have gone before them, affirm that the Works which the Apostle excludes from Justification, are only the Outward Works of the Law, performed without an inward Principle of Faith, fear or the Love of God. Servile Works attended unto from a respect unto the Threatning of the Law, are those which will not justifie us. But this Opinion is not only false but impious. For (1.) The Apostle excludes the Works of Abraham which were not such outward servile Works as are imagined. (2.) The Works excluded are those which the Law requires; and the Law is holy, just and good. But a Law that requires only outward Works without internal Love to God, is neither holy, just nor Good. (3.) The Law