The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

(4.) In the Prefiguration and Representation of that only way and means, whereby this Righteousness of God was to be wrought. This it did in all its Sacrifices, especially in the great Anniversary Sacrifice on the Day of Expiation, wherein all the sins of the Church, were laid on the Head of the Sacrifice, and so carried away. (3.) He describes it by the only way of our participation of it, the only means on our part of the communication of it unto us. And this is by Faith alone. The Righteousness of God▪ which is by the Faith of Christ Jesus, unto all, and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference. Ver. 22. Faith in Christ Jesus is so the only way and means, whereby this Righteousness of God comes upon us, or is communicated unto us, that it is so unto ⟨p. 446⟩all that have this Faith, and only unto them, and that without difference on the consideration of any thing else besides. And although Faith taken absolutely, may be used in various senses, yet as thus specified and limited, the Faith of Christ Jesus, or as he calls it, the Faith that is in me. Acts 26.18. It can intend nothing but the reception of him, and trust in him, as the Ordinance of God for Righteousness and Salvation.

This description of The Righteousness of God revealed in the Gospel, which the Apostle asserts as the only means and cause of our Justification before God, with the only way of its participation and communication unto us by the Faith of Christ Jesus, fully confirms the truth we plead for. For if the Righteousness wherewith we must be justified before God be not our own, but the Righteousness of God, as these things are directly opposed, Phil. 3.9. And the only way whereby it comes upon us, or we are made partakers of it, is by the Faith of Jesus Christ, then our own personal inherent Righteousness or Obedience, hath no interest in our Justification before God; which Argument is insoluble, nor is the force of it to be waved by any distinctions whatever, if we keep our hearts unto a due reverence of the Authority of God in his Word.