The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

Nothing seems to be more contrary unto reason, than what is here made manifest by the event. The Gentiles who lived in Sin and Pleasures, not once endeavouring to attain unto any Righteousness before God, yet attained unto it upon the Preaching of the Gospel. Israel on the other hand, which followed after Righteousness, diligently in all the Works of the Law and Duties of Obedience unto God thereby, came short of it, attained not unto it. All Preparations, all Dispositions, all merit as unto Righteousness and Justification are ⟨p. 490⟩excluded from the Gentiles. For in all of them there is more or less a following after Righteousness which is denied of them all. Only by Faith in him who justifieth the ungodly, they attain Righteousness, or they attained the Righteousness of Faith. For to attain Righteousness by Faith, and to attain the Righteousness which is of Faith, are the same. Wherefore all things that are comprised any way in following after Righteousness, such as are all our Duties and Works, are excluded from any influence into our Justification. And this is expressed to declare the Sovereignty and freedom of the Grace of God herein; Namely that we are justified freely by his Grace, and that on our part all boasting is excluded. Let men pretend what they will, and dispute what they please, those who attain unto Righteousness and Justification before God, when they follow not after Righteousness, they do it by the gratuitous Imputation of the Righteousness of another unto them.

Nothing seems to be more contrary unto reason, than what is here made manifest by the event. The Gentiles who lived in Sin and Pleasures, not once endeavouring to attain unto any Righteousness before God, yet attained unto it upon the Preaching of the Gospel. Israel on the other hand, which followed after Righteousness, diligently in all the Works of the Law and Duties of Obedience unto God thereby, came short of it, attained not unto it. All Preparations, all Dispositions, all merit as unto Righteousness and Justification are ⟨p. 490⟩excluded from the Gentiles. For in all of them there is more or less a following after Righteousness which is denied of them all. Only by Faith in him who justifieth the ungodly, they attain Righteousness, or they attained the Righteousness of Faith. For to attain Righteousness by Faith, and to attain the Righteousness which is of Faith, are the same. Wherefore all things that are comprized any way in following after Righteousness, such as are all our Duties and Works, are excluded from any influence into our Justification. And this is expressed to declare the Sovereignty and freedom of the Grace of God herein; Namely that we are justified freely by his Grace, and that on our part all boasting is excluded. Let men pretend what they will, and dispute what they please, those who attain unto Righteousness and Justification before God, when they follow not after Righteousness, they do it by the gratuitous Imputation of the Righteousness of another unto them.