The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

But the Representation made by our Saviour himself, of the way and means whereon and whereby Men come to be justified before God, in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, is a guide unto all Men who have the same design with them. Luk. 18.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves, that they were righteous and despised others: Two Men went up unto the Temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the other a Publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself; God I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this Publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the Publican standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto Heaven, but smote upon his Brest, saying, God be merciful unto me a sinner. I tell you, ⟨p. 435⟩that this Man went down unto his house justified, rather then the other: For every one that exalteth himself, shall be abased; and every one that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.

That the design of our Saviour herein, was to represent the way of our Justification before God, is evident. (1.) From the description given of the persons whom he reflected on. V. 9. They were such as trusted in themselves, that they were righteous; or, That they had a Personal Righteousness of their own before God. (2.) From the general rule wherewith he confirms the judgment he had given concerning the persons described, Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased. Ver. 14. And he that abaseth himself, shall be exalted. As this is applied unto the Pharisee, and the Prayer that is ascribed unto him, it declares plainly, That every plea of our own works, as unto our Justification before God, under any consideration, is a self exaltation which God despiseth; and as applied unto the Publican, that a sense of sin is the only preparation on our part for acceptance with him on believing.