The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

When we speak of that whereby we see, we exclude no other member from being a part of the body; but we exclude all but the eye from the act of seeing. And if Faith be required, as it is a receiving of Christ, every Grace and Duty which is not so, is excluded as unto the end of Justification.

Chap. 3.14, 15, 16, 17, 18. And as Moses lifted up the Brazen Serpent in the Wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth on him, should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. God sent not his Son into the World to condemn the World, but that the World, through him, might be saved. He that believeth on him, is not condemned; but he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

I shall observe only a few things from these words, which in themselves convey a better light of understanding in this Mystery unto the minds of Believers, then many long discourses of some Learned Men. (1.) It is of the justification of Men, and their right to eternal Life thereon, that our Saviour discourseth. This is plain in Ver. 18. He that believeth is not condemned, but he that believeth not, is condemned already. (2.) The means of attaining this condition or state on our part, is believing only, as it is three times positively asserted, without any addition. (3.) The nature of this Faith is declared, (1) By its object, that is, Christ himself the Son of God; whosoever believeth on him, which is frequently repeated. (2) The especial consideration, wherein he is the object of Faith unto the Justification of life; and that is as he is the Ordinance of God, given, sent, and proposed from the Love and Grace ⟨p. 441⟩of the Father. God so loved the World, that he gave; God sent his Son. (3) The especial act yet included in the type, whereby the design of God, in him, is illustrated. For this was the looking unto the Brazen Serpent lifted up in the Wilderness, by them who were stung with Fiery Serpents. Hereunto our Faith in Christ unto Justification, doth answer, and includes a trust in him alone for deliverance and relief. This is the way, these are the only causes and means of the Justification of condemned sinners, and are the Substance of all that we plead for.