The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

What ever is done in us, or performed by us, as obedience unto God, is our own Righteousness. Though it be done in Faith, and by the aids of Gods Grace; yet is it subjectively ours, and so far as it is a Righteousness, it is our own. But all Righteousness which is our own whatever, is so far divers from the Righteousness, by which we are to be justified before God, as that the most earnest endeavour to establish it, that is, to render it such, as by which we may be justified, is an effectual means to cause us to refuse a submission unto, and an acceptance of that, whereby alone we may be so.

What ever is done in us, or performed by us, as obedience unto God, is our own Righteousness. Though it be done in Faith, and by the aids of Gods Grace; yet is it subjectively ours, and so far as it is a Righteousness, it is our own. But all Righteousness which is our own whatever, is so far divers from the Righteousness, by which we are to be justified before God, as that the most earnest endeavor to establish it, that is, to render it such, as by which we may be justified, is an effectual means to cause us to refuse a submission unto, and an acceptance of that, whereby alone we may be so.

This ruined the Jews, and will be the ruin of all that shall follow their example in seeking after Justification; yet is it not easy for Men to take any other way, or to be taken off from this. So the Apostle intimates in that expression, They submitted not themselves unto the Righteousness of God. This Righteousness of God is of that nature, that the proud mind of Man is altogether unwilling to bow and submit it self unto; yet can it no otherwise be attained, but by such a submission or subjection of mind, as contains in it a total Renunciation of any Righteousness of our Men. And those who reproach others for affirming, That Men endeavouring after Morality or Moral Righteousness, and resting therein, are in no good way for the participation of the Grace of God by Jesus Christ, do expressly deride the Doctrine of the Apostle, that is, of the Holy Ghost himself.

This ruined the Jews, and will be the ruine of all that shall follow their example in seeking after Justification; yet is it not easie for Men to take any other way, or to be taken off from this. So the Apostle intimates in that expression, They submitted not themselves unto the Righteousness of God. This Righteousness of God is of that nature, that the proud mind of Man is altogether unwilling to bow and submit it self unto; yet can it no otherwise be attained, but by such a submission or subjection of mind, as contains in it a total Renuntiation of any Righteousness of our Men. And those who reproach others for affirming, That Men indeavoring after Morality or Moral Righteousness, and resting therein, are in no good way for the participation of the Grace of God by Jesus Christ, do expresly deride the Doctrine of the Apostle, that is, of the Holy Ghost himself.