Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

First, Faith is not strictly and properly the instrument of Justification: were it so, a man might justify and forgive himself. For, as Dr. Ames well observes, as Sacraments are properly Gods instruments,¹ so Faith is properly mans. Deus nos baptizat & pascit, non nosmetipsi; nos credimus in Christum, non Deus: God baptizes and feeds us, not we our selves; ⟨p. 218⟩we believe in Christ, not God. If then Faith, which is properly mans instrument, be properly the instrument of Justification, a Believer doth no less than justify himself, which is harsh doctrine to me. Again, When we are said to be justified by Faith, I suppose the Scripture doth not intend the transient act, but the permanent habit; and if so, I cannot conceive how that can be properly, strictly an Instrument. Instrumenti causalitas est in usu & application; when it is not in use and act, it ceases to be an instrument. The habit of faith is an habit still, even when its act ceases; but when its act ceases, what hath it of instrumentality.

First, Faith is not strictly and properly the instrument of Justification: were it so, a man might justifie and forgive himself. For, as Dr. Ames well observes, as Sacraments are properly Gods instruments,¹ so Faith is properly mans. Deus nos baptizat & pascit, non nosmetipsi; nos credimus in Christum, non Deus: God baptizes and feeds us, not we our selves; ⟨p. 218⟩we believe in Christ, not God. If then Faith, which is properly mans instrument, be properly the instrument of Justification, a Believer doth no less than justifie himself, which is harsh doctrine to me. Again, When we are said to be justified by Faith, I suppose the Scripture doth not intend the transient act, but the permanent habit; and if so, I cannot conceive how that can be properly, strictly an Instrument. Instrumenti causalitas est in usu & applicatione; when it is not in use and act, it ceases to be an instrument. The habit of faith is an habit still, even when its act ceases; but when its act ceases, what hath it of instrumentality.

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