If those who were justified, were justified in any degree on account of personal worthiness, then it would not be true, that the gospel is a revelation of the righteousness of God without the law. Were any respect paid to their obedience, men would in reality be justified not as ungodly, but as holy persons; not by faith only, but by works also; not freely by grace, but as the merited reward of obedience. But St. Paul affirms, that God “justifieth the ungodly;” that by “deeds of law no flesh can be justified in his sight;” that justification is “of faith, that it might be by grace;” and that this grace is most free in its exercise.

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