The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

It may be it will be said; it is true in the time of their Heathenism they did not at all follow after Righteousness, but when the Truth of the Gospel was revealed unto them, then they followed after Righteousness and did attain it. But (1.) This is directly to contradict the Apostle in that it says, that they attained not Righteousness, but only as they followed after Righteousness, whereas he affirms the direct contrary. (2.) It takes away the distinction which he puts between them and Israel; namely, that the one followed after Righteousness, and the other did not. (3.) To follow after Righteousness in this place, is to follow after a Righteousness of our own; To establish their own Righteousness, Chap. 10.3. But this is so far from being a means of attaining Righteousness, as that it is the most effectual obstruction thereof.

It may be it will be said; it is true in the time of their Heathenism they did not at all follow after Righteousness, but when the Truth of the Gospel was revealed unto them, then they followed after Righteousness and did attain it. But (1.) This is directly to contradict the Apostle in that it says, that they attain'd not Righteousness, but only as they followed after Righteousness, whereas he affirms the direct contrary. (2.) It takes away the distinction which he puts between them and Israel; namely, that the one followed after Righteousness, and the other did not. (3.) To follow after Righteousness in this place, is to follow after a Righteousness of our own; To establish their own Righteousness, Chap. 10.3. But this is so far from being a means of attaining Righteousness, as that it is the most effectual obstruction thereof.

If therefore those who have no Righteousness of their own, who are so far from it, that they never endeavoured to attain it, do yet by Faith receive that Righteousness wherewith they ⟨p. 491⟩justified before God, they do so by the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ unto them, or let some other way be assigned.