“And yet I allow you this, That although both repentance and the fruits thereof are in _some sense_ necessary before justification, yet neither the one nor the other is necessary in the _same sense_, or in the _same degree_ with faith; for in whatever moment a man believes, (in the Christian sense of the word) he is justified, his sins are blotted out, _his faith is counted to him for righteousness_. But it is not so, at whatever moment he repents, or brings forth any or all the fruits of repentance. Faith alone therefore justifies; which repentance alone does not; much less any outward work. And consequently, none of these are necessary to justification, in the _same degree_ with faith.
“Nor in the _same sense_. For none of these has so direct, immediate a relation to justification as faith. This is _proximately_ necessary thereto; repentance, _remotely_, as it is necessary to the increase or continuance of repentance. And even in this sense, these are only necessary on supposition――――if there be time and opportunity for them: for in many instances there is not; but God cuts short his work, and faith prevents the fruits of repentance. So that the general proposition is not overthrown, but clearly established by these concessions; and we conclude still――――That faith alone is the proximate condition of justification.”
* 4. This is what I hold concerning justification. I am next, briefly to observe what you object. ¹_If faith, say you, is the sole condition of justification, then it is our sole duty._ I deny the consequence. Faith may be (in the sense above described) the sole condition of justification, and yet not only repentance be our duty _before_, but all obedience _after_ we believe.
¹ Remarks, page 25.
* You go on. _If ¹good works are not conditions of our justification, they are not conditions of our (final) salvation._ I deny the consequence again. _Good works_ (properly so called) cannot be the conditions of justification: because it is impossible to do any good work, _before_ we are justified. And yet notwithstanding, good works may be (and are) conditions of final salvation. For who will say it is impossible to do any good work, _before_ we are finally saved?
¹ Ibid.
You proceed. ¹_Can we be saved, in the contemptuous neglect of repentance, prayer, &c.?_ No: nor justified neither; but while they are previous to faith, these are not allowed to be _good works_.
¹ Page 26.
You afterwards argue from my own concessions, thus.――――¹_Your notion of true stillness is, “A patient waiting upon_ God, _by lowliness, meekness, resignation, in all the ways of his holy law, and the works of his commandments.――――But how is it possible to reconcile to this the position, that these duties are not conditions of our justification? If we are justified without them, we may be saved without them.――――This consequence cannot be too often repeated._”
¹ Page 26.
Let it be repeated ever so often, it is good for nothing. For, far other qualifications are required, in order to our standing before God in glory, than were required in order to his giving us faith and pardon. In order to this, nothing is _indispensably_ required, but repentance, or conviction of sin. But in order to the other it is indispensably required, that we be fully _cleansed from all sin_: that the very God _of peace_ sanctify us wholly, even to τὸ ὁλέκληρον ἡμῶν, our entire body, soul, and spirit. It is not necessary therefore (nor indeed possible) that we should _before_ justification, _patiently wait upon_ God, _by lowliness, meekness, and resignation, in all the ways of his holy law_. And yet it is necessary in the highest degree, that we should thus wait upon him _after_ justification. Otherwise, how shall we be _meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light_?
5. ¹Soon after you add, _In the passages last cited, you plead for the necessity of a good life. But in others, the force of your principles shews itself.――――An answer approved by you is, “My heart is desperately wicked. But I have no doubt or fear. I know my Saviour loves me and I love him.”――――Both these particulars are impossible, if the scripture be true._
¹ Remarks, page 29.
You amaze me! Is it possible you should be ignorant, that your own heart is desperately wicked? Yet I dare not say, either that God does not love you; or that you do not love him.
¹_Again, You say “you described the state of those who have forgiveness of sins, but not a clean heart”_; (not in the full, proper sense) Very true: but even then, they had power over both inward and outward corruptions: far from being, as you suppose, _still wedded to their vices, and resolved to continue in them_.
¹ Page 30.