in the E.pifiles of S. Paul, &c. 49 teoufnefs or Ju(lification before God , as plainly they are, then is it impoffible we fhould be juftified before God by them in the fame fenfe way and manner. Wherefore when the Apoftle lames affirms, That a Man is juftified by Works, and not by Faith only, he cannot intend our.Juftification before God; where it is impoffible they fhould both concur. For not only are they declared inconfiftent by the Apoftle in this place, but it would introduce feveral forts of Righ. teoufnefs unto Juftification , that are inconfiftent and de- ftruftive of each other. This was the firif miRake of the yew, whence this mil-carriage infued ; they fought not after Righteoufnef .by, Faith, but as it were by the Works of the Law. Their f cond miliake was as unto the Righteoufnefs it felf, whereon a Man might be juftified before God. For this they judged was to their own Righteoufnefs. Chap.' o. 3. Their own PerfonalRighteeufraefs confifting in their own Duties of Obedience, they looked on as the only Righteoufnefs , whereon they might be juftified before God, This therefore they went about to eftablifh as the Pharifees did. Luke 18. z r, i 2. And this miftake, with their defign thereon , to eftablijli their oron Righteoufnefr, was the principal caufe that made them rejeet the .Righteoufnefs of ;God, as it isswith many at this day. What ever is done in us, or performed by us, as obedience unto God, is our own Righteoufnefs. Though it be done in Faith, and by the aids of Gods Grace; yet is it fubje ively ours, and ro far as it is a Righteoufnefs, it is.our own. But all Righteoufnefs which is our own whatever; is.fo far divers from the Righteoufners, by which we are to be juftified be fore God, as that the moft earneft endeavor to eftablifh ity clear is, to render it >fuch,: asby which we may be jaafiified, is an eitèëtual means to caufe us to refufe a fubmiffion unto, and an acceptance of that, whereby alogé we may be fo. :. This
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