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by apprehending, receiving; declared by an instrument. Faith in what
sense the condition of our justification. Signification of that term whence to
be learned ..

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Justification by faith generally acknowledged. The meaning of it perverted.
The nature and use of faith in justification proposed to consideration. Dis-
tinctions about it, waved. A twofold faith of the gospel expressed in the
Scripture. Faith that is not justifying. Acts viii. 13. John ii. 23, 24.
Luke viii. 13. Matt. xxii. 28. Historical faith, whence it is so called, and
Degrees of assent in it. Justification not ascribed unto
A calumny obviated. The causes of true saving faith.

the nature of it.
any degree of it.

Evangelical personal righteousness, the nature and use of it. Whether there be

an evangelical justification on our evangelical righteousness, inquired into.

How this is by some affirmed and applauded. Evangelical personal righte-

ousness asserted as the condition of our legal righteousness, or the pardon of

sin. Opinion of the Socinians. Personal righteousness required in the gos-

pel. Believers hence denominated righteous. Not with respect unto righte-

ousness habitual, but actual only. Inherent righteousness the same with sanc-

tification or holiness. In what sense we may be said to be justified by in-

herent righteousness. No evangelical justification on our personal righte-

ousness. The imputation of the righteousness of Christ doth not depend

thereon. None have this righteousness, but they are antecedently justified.

A charge before God, in all justification before God. The instrument of this

charge; the law or the gospel. From neither of them can we be justified by

this personal righteousness. The justification pretended needless and useless.

It hath not the nature of any justification mentioned in the Scripture; but

is contrary to all that is so called. Other arguments to the same purpose.

Sentential justification at the last day. Nature of the last judgment. Who

shall be then justified. A declaration of righteousness, and an actual ad-

mission unto glory, the whole of justification at the last day. The argument

that we are justified in this life, in the same manner, and on the same grounds

as we shall be judged at the last day, that judgment being according unto

works, answered; and the impertinency of it declared

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Use of faith in justification; various conceptions about it. By whom asserted,
as the instrument of it, by whom denied. In what sense it is affirmed so to
be. The expressions of the Scripture, concerning the use of faith in justifi-
cation, what they are; and how they are best explained. By an instrumental
cause. Faith, how the instrument of God in justification. How the instru-
ment of them that do believe. The use of faith expressed in the Scripture,

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Justification by faith generally acknowledged. The meaning of it perverted.
The nature and use of faith in justification proposed to consideration. Dis-
tinctions about it, waved. A twofold faith of the gospel expressed in the
Scripture. Faith that is not justifying. Acts viii. 13. John ii. 23, 24.
Luke viii. 13. Matt. xxii. 28. Historical faith, whence it is so called, and
the nature of it. Degrees of assent in it. Justification not ascribed
A calumny obviated. The causes of true

any degree of it.

The nature of justifying faith in particular; or, of faith in the exercise of it,

whereby we are justified. The heart's approbation of the way of the justifi-

cation, and salvation of sinners by Christ, with its acquiescency therein. The

description given, explained, and confirmed. 1. From the nature of the gos→

pel. 2. Exemplified in its contrary, or the nature of unbelief. Prov. i. 30.

Heb. ii. 3. 1 Pet. ii. 7. 1 Cor. i. 23, 24. 2 Cor. iv. 3, 4. What it is, and

wherein it doth consist. 3. The design of God, in and by the gospel. His

own glory, his utmost end in all things. The glory of his righteousness,

grace, love, wisdom, &c. The end of God in the way of the salvation of

sinners by Christ. Rom. iii. 25. John iii. 16. 1 John iii. 16. Eph. i. 5, 6.

1 Cor. i. 24. Eph. iii. 10. Rom. i. 16. iv. 16. Eph. iii. 9. 2 Cor. iv. 6. The

nature of faith thence declared. Faith alone ascribes and gives this glory to God.

Order of the acts of faith, or the method in believing. Convictions previous there-

unto. Sincere assent unto all divine revelations; Acts xxvi. 27. The proposal of

the gospel unto that end; Rom. x. 11-13, &c, 2 Cor. iii. 18. State of persons

called to believe. Justify ng faith doth not consist in any one single habit or

act of the mind or will. The nature of that assent which is the first act of faith.

Approbation of the way of salvation by Christ, comprehensive of the special

nature of justifying faith. What is in Auded therein. 1. A renunciation of

all other ways. Hos. xiv. 2, 3. Jer. iii. 23. Psal. vii. 16. Rom. x. 3. 2.

Consent of the will unto this wa ; John xiv. 6. 3. Acquiescency of the

heart in God. 1 Pet. i. 21. Trust in God. Faith described by trust, the

reason of it. Nature and object of this rust inquired into. A double con-

sideration of special mercy. Whether obedience be included in the nature

of faith, or be of the essence of it. A sincere purpose of universal obedience

inseparable from faith. How faith alone justifieth. Repentance, how re-

quired in, and unto justification, How a condition of the new covenant.

Perseverance in obedience, is so also. Definitions of faith .................

Use of faith in justification; various conceptions about it. By whom asserted,
as the instrument of it, by whom denied. In what sense it is affirmed so to
be. The expressions of the Scripture, concerning the use of faith in justifi-
cation, what they are; and how they are best explained. By an instrumental
cause. Faith, how the instrument of God in justification. How the instru-
ment of them that do believe. The use of faith expressed in the Scripture,

....

Distinction of a first and second justification. The whole doctrine of the Ro-

man church concerning justification grounded on this distinction. The first

justification, the nature and causes of it according unto the Romanists. The

second justification, what it is in their sense. Solution of the seeming dif

ference between Paul and James, falsely pretended by this distinction. The

same distinction received by the Socinians, and others. The latter termed

by some, the continuation of our justification. The distinction disproved.

Justification considered, either as unto its essence, or its manifestation. The

manifestation of it twofold, initial and final. Initial is either unto ourselves,

or others. No second justification hence ensues. Justification before God,

legal and evangelical. Their distinct natures. The distinction mentioned,

derogatory to the merit of Christ. More in it ascribed unto ourselves, than

unto the blood of Christ, in our justification. The vanity of disputations to

this purpose.

All true justification overthrown by this distinction.

countenance given unto this justification in the Scripture. The second justi-

No

fication not intended by the apostle Janes. Evil of arbitrary distinctions.

Our first justification so described in the Scripture, as to leave no room for

a second. the continuation of our justification: whether it depend on

faith alone, or our personal righteousness inquired. Justification at once

completed in all the causes and effects of it, proved at large. Believers upon

their justification, obliged unto perfect obedience. The commanding power

of the law constitutes the nature of sin in them, who are not obnoxious unto

its curse. Future sins, in what sense remitted at our first justification. The

continuation of actual pardon, and thereby of a justified estate, on what it

doth depend. Continuation of justification, the act of God; whereon it de-

pends in that sense. On our part it depends on faith alone. Nothing re-

quired hereunto, but the application of righteousness imputed. The conti-

nuation of our justification is before God. That whereon the continuation of

our justification depends, pleadable before God. This not our personal obe-

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