The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

Here was the ruin of those Jews; they judged it a better, a more probable, yea, a more righteous and holy way for them, constantly to endeavour after a Righteousness of their own by duties of obedience unto the Law of God, then to imagine that they could come to acceptance with God by Faith in another. For tell them, and such as they, what you please, if they have not a Righteousness of their own, that they can set upon its legs, and make to stand before God, the Law will not have its accomplishment, and so will condemn them.

Here was the ruine of those Jews; they judged it a better, a more probable, yea, a more righteous and holy way for them, constantly to indeavor after a Righteousness of their own by duties of obedience unto the Law of God, then to imagine that they could come to acceptance with God by Faith in another. For tell them, and such as they, what you please, if they have not a Righteousness of their own, that they can set upon its legs, and make to stand before God, the Law will not have its accomplishment, and so will condemn them.

To demolish this last fort of unbelief, the Apostle grants that the Law must have its end, and be completely fulfilled, or there is no appearing for us as righteous before God; and withal shows them how this is done, and where alone it is to be sought after. For Christ (saith he) is the end of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believeth, Ver. 4. We need not trouble our selves to inquire in what various sense Christ may be said to be [Greek or Hebrew], the end, the complement, the perfection of the Law. The Apostle sufficiently determineth his intention, in affirming not absolutely that he is the end of the Law, but he is so [Greek or Hebrew] for Righteousness unto every one that believeth. The matter in question, Is a Righteousness unto Justification before God. And this is acknowledged to be the Righteousness which the Law requires. God looks for no Righteousness from us, but what is prescribed in the Law. The Law is nothing but the Rule of Righteousness; Gods prescription of a Righteousness, and all the Duties of it unto us. That we should be righteous herewith before God, was the first original end of the Law. Its other ends at present of the conviction of sin, and judging or condemning for it, were accidental unto its primitive constitution. This Righteousness, which the Law