Wherein Our Justification Before God Consists
We believe that our salvation consists in the remission of our sins for Jesus Christ's
sake, and that therein our righteousness before God is implied; as David and Paul teach
us, declaring this to be the blessedness of man that God imputes righteousness to him
apart from works. And the same apostle says that we are justified freely by His
grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. And therefore we always hold
fast this foundation, ascribing all the glory to God, humbling ourselves before Him, and
acknowledging ourselves to be such as we really are, without presuming to trust in any
thing in ourselves, or in any merit of ours, relying and resting upon the obedience of
Christ crucified alone, which becomes ours when we believe in Him. This is sufficient to
cover all our iniquities, and to give us confidence in approaching God; freeing the
conscience of fear, terror, and dread, without following the example of our first father,
Adam, who, trembling, attempted to cover himself with fig-leaves. And, verily, if we
should appear before God, relying on ourselves or on any other creature, though ever so
little, we should, alas! be consumed. And therefore every one must pray with David: O
Jehovah, enter not into judgment with they servant; for in thy sight no man living is
righteous.
