490 The nature of yuf i ficat on, as declared excluded from the Gentile,. For in all of them there is more or lets a following after Righteoufnefs which is denied of them all. Only by Faith in him who juftifieth theungodly, they attain Righteoufnefs , or they attained the Righteoufnefs of Faith. For to attain Righteoufnefs by Faith , and to attain th e Righteoufnefs which k of Faith, are the fame. Wherefore all things that are comprized any way in following after Righ- teoufnefs; fuch as are all our Duties and Works, are excluded from any influence into our Juftification.And this is expreffed to declare the Sovereignty and freedom of the Grace of God herein ; Namely that we are juftified freely by his Grace, and that on our part allboafting is excluded. Let men pretend what they will, and difpute what they pleafe, thofe who at- tain unto Righteoufnefs and :Hf ifcation before God , when they follow not after Righteoufnef, they do it by tht gra- ttsitous Imputation, of the Righteoufnefs of another unto them. It may be it will be 1 iid ; it is true in the time of their Hea- thenifm they did not at all follow after Righteoufnefs, but when the Truth of the Gofpel was revealed unto them, then they followed after Roghteoufnefs'and did attain it But (a.) This is directly to contradict the Apoftle in that it fays, that they attain'd not Righteoufnef, but only as they followed after Righteoufnefs, whereas he affirms the.dire& contrary. (2.) It takes away the diftináion which he puts between them and. tfrael ; namely, that the one followed after Righteoufnefs, and the other .did not. (3.) To follow after Righteoufnefs in this place, is to follow after a Righteoufnefs of our own s To eftablifh their own Righteoufnefs, Chap. ao. 3. But this is fo far from being a means of attaining Righteoufnefs as that it is the mft effectual obftruetion thereof If therefore thole who have no Righteoufnef of their own, who are fo far from it, that they never endeavoured to attain; it,do yet by Faith receive that Righteoufnefs wherewith they. are
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