The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

CHAP. XVI. The Truth pleaded, farther confirmed by Testimonies of Scripture, Jer. 23.6.

That which we now proceed unto, is the consideration of those Express Testimonies of Scripture which are given unto the Truth pleaded for, and especially of those places where the Doctrine of the Justification of Sinners is expressly and designedly handled. From them it is, that we must learn the Truth, and into them must our Faith be resolved, unto whose Authority all the arguings and Objections of men must give place. By them is more light conveyed into the understandings of Believers, than by the most subtle Disputations. And it is a thing not without scandal, to see among Protestants whole Books written about Justification, wherein scarce one Testimony of Scripture is produced, unless it be to find out Evasions from the force of them. And ⟨p. 426⟩in particular, whereas the Apostle Paul hath most fully and expressly (as he had the greatest occasion so to do) declared and vindicated the Doctrine of Evangelical Justification, not a few in what they write about it, are so far from declaring their Thoughts and Faith concerning it, out of his Writings, as that they begin to reflect upon them as obscure, and such as give occasion unto dangerous mistakes; and unless, as was said, to answer and except against them upon their own corrupt Principles, seldom or never make mention of them. As though we were grown wiser than he, or that Spirit whereby he was inspired, guided, acted in all that he wrote; But there can be nothing more Alien from the genius of Christian Religion, than for us not to endeavour humbly to learn the Mystery of the Grace of God, herein, in the Declaration of it made by him. But the foundation of God standeth sure, what course soever men shall be pleased to take into their Profession of Religion.

THat which we now proceed unto, is the consideration of those Express Testimonies of Scripture which are given unto the Truth pleaded for, and especially of those places where the Doctrine of the Justification of Sinners is expresly and designedly handled. From them it is, that we must learn the Truth, and into them must our Faith be resolved, unto whose Authority all the arguings and Objections of men must give place. By them is more light conveyed into the understandings of Believers, than by the most subtle Disputations. And it is a thing not without scandal, to see among Protestants whole Books written about Justification, wherein scarce one Testimony of Scripture is produced, unless it be to find out Evasions from the force of them. And