The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

In opposition hereunto, the state and prayer of the Publican, under the same design of seeking Justification before God, are expressed. And the outward acts of his Person are mentioned, as representing, and expressive of the inward frame of his mind. He stood afar off; he did not so much as lift up his eyes; he smote upon his breast. All of them represent a person desponding, yea, despairing in himself. This is the nature, this is the effect of that conviction of sin, which we before asserted to be antecedently necessary unto Justification. Displicency, sorrow, sense of danger, fear of wrath, all are present with him. In brief he declares himself guilty before God, and his mouth stopped, as unto any apology or excuse. And his prayer is a sincere application of his Soul, unto sovereign Grace and Mercy, for a deliverance out of the condition, wherein he was by reason of the guilt of sin. And in the use of the word [Greek or Hebrew], there is ⟨p. 438⟩respect had unto a propitiation. In the whole of his address there is contained. (1.) Self-condemnation and abhorrency. (2.) Displicency and sorrow for sin. (3.) An universal Renunciation of all Works of his own, as any conditions of his Justification. (4.) An acknowledgement of his sin, guilt, and misery. And this is all that on our part is required unto Justification before God, excepting that Faith whereby we apply our selves unto him for deliverance.

In opposition hereunto, the state and prayer of the Publican, under the same design of seeking Justification before God, are expressed. And the outward acts of his Person are mentioned, as representing, and expressive of the inward frame of his mind. He stood afar off; he did not so much as lift up his eyes; he smote upon his brest. All of them represent a person desponding, yea, despairing in himself. This is the nature, this is the effect of that conviction of sin, which we before asserted to be antecedently necessary unto Justification. Displicency, sorrow, sense of danger, fear of wrath, all are present with him. In brief he declares himself guilty before God, and his mouth stopped, as unto any apology or excuse. And his prayer is a sincere application of his Soul, unto sovereign Grace and Mercy, for a deliverance out of the condition, wherein he was by reason of the guilt of sin. And in the use of the word 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, there is ⟨p. 438⟩