* You take the word _condition_ in the former sense only, as that without which we cannot be justified. In this sense of the word, I think we may allow, that there are several conditions of justification.
* “Good works follow this faith, but cannot go before it. Much less can sanctification; which implies a continued course of good works, springing from holiness of heart.”
* Yet such a course is without doubt absolutely necessary to our continuance in a _state_ of _justification_.
“It is allowed, that repentance and _fruits meet for repentance_, go before faith. Repentance _absolutely must_ go before faith: _fruits meet for it_, if there be opportunity. By _repentance_ I mean conviction of sin, producing real desires and sincere resolutions of amendment: and by _fruits meet for repentance_, forgiving our brother, ceasing from evil, doing good, using the ordinances of God, and, in general, obeying him according to the measure of grace which we have received. But these I cannot as yet term good works, because they do not spring from faith and the love of God.” Although the same works are then good, when they are performed by _those who have believed_.
“Faith in general is, a divine supernatural ἔλεγχος, (evidence, or conviction) of things not seen, not discoverable by our bodily senses, as being either past, future or spiritual. Justifying faith implies, not only a divine ἔλεγχος, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, but a sure trust and confidence, that Christ died for _my_ sins, that he loved _me_, and gave himself for _me_. And the moment a _penitent_ sinner _thus_ believes, God pardons and absolves him.”
I say, a _penitent_ sinner; because justifying faith cannot exist without previous _repentance_.
――――“Yet although both repentance, and the fruits thereof, are in _some sense_ necessary before justification, neither the one nor the other is necessary in the _same sense_, or in the _same degree_ with faith. Not in the _same degree_. For in whatever moment a man believes, (in the Christian sense of the word) he is justified.――――But it is not so, at whatever moment he repents, or brings forth any, or all the fruits of repentance.――――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 faith (so the error of the press is to be corrected.) And the fruits of repentance still _more remotely_, as they are necessary to the increase, or continuance of repentance. And even in this sense, they 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.”
2. Thus far I believe we are nearly agreed. But on those words, “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:” you remark, _Here, I apprehend, are two great mistakes, 1. You make too little necessary before pardon. 2. Too much afterward. You confine repentance within too narrow limits, and extend holiness beyond its just bounds._ (page 92.)
_First, By repentance you mean only conviction of sin. But this is a very partial account of it. Every child that has learned his catechism can tell, that forsaking of sin is also included in it.――――Living in obedience to God’s will, when there is opportunity; and even when there is not, a sincere desire and purpose to do so――――and a faith in God’s mercies through Christ Jesus._
I had said, “In order to God’s giving us faith and pardon, nothing is indispensably required but repentance,” _i. e._ “Conviction of sin producing real desires and sincere resolutions of amendment.” But you _apprehend, that I am here in a great mistake_: that I give a _very partial account of repentance_; that I ought to _include therein a sincere desire_ and _purpose_ to obey God.――――I do: I have said so expressly――――And _living in obedience to God’s will, when there is opportunity_.――――Very well; but I here speak of what is _indispensably required_, _i. e._ whether there is opportunity of actual obedience or no.――――_And a faith in God’s mercies through Christ Jesus._――――A very great mistake indeed! My not including faith in that _repentance_, which I say is _indispensably_ required――――_in order_ to faith!