The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

All Works are excluded which are opposed unto Grace working freely in our Justification. But this all Works whatever are, Rom. 11.6. (7.) In the Epistle unto the Galatians the Apostle doth exclude from our Justification all those Works which the false Teachers pressed as necessary thereunto. But they urged the necessity of the Works of Believers, and those which were by Grace already converted unto God. For those upon whom they pressed them unto this End were already actually so. (8.) They are Good Works that the Apostle excludeth from our Justification. For there can be no Pretence of Justification by those Works that are not Good, or which have not all things essentially requisite to make them so. But such are all the Works of Unbelievers, performed without the Aids of Grace; they are not Good, nor as such accepted with God; but want what is essentially requisite unto the Constitution of Good Works. And it is ridiculous to think that the Apostle Disputes about the exclusion of such Works from our Justification, as no man in his Wits would ⟨p. 410⟩think to have any place therein. (9) The Reason why no no man can be justified by the Law, is because no man can yield perfect Obedience thereunto. For by perfect Obedience the Law will justify, Rom. 2.13. Chap. 10.5. Wherefore all Works are excluded that are not absolutely perfect. But this the best Works of Believers are not; as we have proved before. (10.) If there be a Reserve for the Works of Believers performed by the Aid of Grace in our Justification, it is, that either they may be concauses thereof, or be indispensably subservient unto those things that are so. That they are concauses of our Justification, is not absolutely affirmed; Neither can it be said that they are necessarily subservient unto them that are so. They are not so unto the efficient Cause thereof, which is the Grace and favour of God alone, Rom. 3.24, 25. Chap. 4.16. Eph. 2.8, 9. Rev. 1.6. Nor are they so unto the Meritorious Cause of it, which is Christ alone,