4. Finding that not a few have esteemed it compliant with their interest to publish exceptions against some few leaves which, in the handling of a subject of another nature, I occasionally wrote many years ago on this subject, I am not without apprehensions, that either the same persons, or others of a like temper and principles, may attempt an opposition unto what is here expressly tendered thereon. On supposition of such an attempt, I shall, in one word, let the authors of it know wherein alone I shall be concerned. For, if they shall make it their business to cavil at expressions, to wrest my words, wire-draw inferences and conclusions from them not expressly owned by me, — to revile my person, to catch at advantages in any occasional passages, or other unessential parts of the discourse, — labouring for an appearance of success and reputation to themselves thereby, without a due attendance unto Christian moderation, candour, and ingenuity, — I shall take no
6 TO THE READER.
more notice of what they say or write than I would do of the greatest imper- tinencies that can be reported in this world. The same I say concerning opposi- tions of the like nature unto any other writings of mine, — a work which, as I hear, some are at jiresent engaged in. I have somewhat else to do than to cast away any part of the small remainder of my life in that kind of controversial writings which good men bewail, and wise men deride. Whereas, therefore, the principal design of this discourse is to state the doctrine of justification from the Scripture, and to confirm it by the testimonies thereof, I shall not esteem it spoken against, unless our exposition of Scripture testimonies, and the application of them unto the present argument, be disproved by just rules of interpretation, and another sense of them be evinced. All other things which I conceive necessary to be spoken unto, in order unto the right understanding and due improvement of the truth pleaded for, are comprised and declared in the ensuing general discourses to that purpose. These few things I thought meet to mind the reader of.
J. O.
From my study, May the 30tA, 1677.
THE DOCTEIiNE
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
PREVIOUSLY NECESSARY UNTO THE EXPLANATION OP THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION.
That we may treat of the doctrine of justification usefully unto its proper ends, which are the glory of God in Christ, with the peace and furtherance of the obedience of believers, some things are pre- viously to be considered, which we must have respect unto in the whole process of our discourse. And, among others that might be insisted on to the same purpose, these that ensue are not to be omitted : —
1. The first inquiry in this matter, in a way of duty, is after the proper relief of the conscience of a sinner pressed and perplexed with a sense of the guilt of sin. For justification is the way and means whereby such a person doth obtain acceptance before God, with a right and title unto a heavenly inheritance. And nothmg is pleadable in this cause but what a man would speak unto his o^vn conscience in that state, or unto the conscience of another, when he is anxious under that inquiry. Wherefore, the person under con- sideration (that is, who is to be justified) is one who, in himself, is daiQyjg, Rom. iv. 5, — " ungodly;" and thereon vmbiTiog tw QiuJ, chap, iii. 19, — " gTiilty before God;" that is, obnoxious, subject, hable, nZ 5/xa/w/xar/ rod QsoD, chap. i. 32, — to the righteous sentential judgment of God, that " he who committeth sin," who is any way guilty of it, is '' worthy of death." Hereupon such a person finds himself h-Trh zardpav, Gal. iii. 10, — under " the curse," and " the wrath of God" therein " abiding on him," John iii. 18, 36. In this condition he is dvarroXoyyiTog, — \vithout plea, without excuse, by any thing in and from himself, for his own relief; his " mouth is stopped," Rom. iii. IP. For he is, in the judgment of God, declared in the Scripture, gvy/.ix-
8 ON JUSTIFICATION.
Xna/Mivog utp' a/juapr/av, GaL iiL 22, — every way " shut up under sin" and all the consequents of it. Many evils in this condition are men sub- ject unto, which may be reduced unto those two of our first parents, wherein they were represented. For, first, they thought foolishly to hide themselves from God ; and then, more foolishly, would have charged him as the cause of their sin. And such, naturally, are the thoughts of men under their convictions. But whoever is the sub- ject of the justification inquired after, is, by various means, brought into his apprehensions who cried, " Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
2. With respect unto this state and condition of men, or men in this state and condition, the inquiry is, What that is upon the ac- count whereof God pardoneth all their sins, receiveth them into his favour, declareth or pronounceth them rigliteous and acquitted from all guilt, removes the curse, and turneth away all his wrath from them, giving them right and title unto a blessed immorality or life eternaU This is that alone wherein the consciences of sinners in this estate are concerned. Nor do they inquire after any thing, but what they may have to oppose unto or answer the justice of God in the commands and curse of the law, and what they may betake them- selves unto for the obtaining of acceptance with him unto life and salvation.