Jesus Christ is the foundation and cause, and faith in him is the instrument of justification. Jesus Christ is the meritorious and efficient cause of our justification, and faith is that act by which we are made partakers of his benefits. Now, when men are hoping in their faith, instead of hoping in Jesus Christ, they are evidently building upon a wrong foundation; they are taking credit to themselves; they are claiming merit for their faith. It is true, the just shall live by faith; but it is not said the just shall live upon it. Let us learn to discriminate. Let us not rely upon our faith to justify us, instead of relying by faith upon Jesus Christ.
Ichabod Spencer — Sermon XI, "Legal and Evangelical Justification Distinguished," in Sermons of the Rev. Ichabod S. Spencer, D.D., [vol. I] (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, copyright 1855), p. 223
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