Remotely necessary
God does undoubtedly command us both to repent and to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, which if we willingly neglect, we cannot reasonably expect to be justified at all. Therefore both repentance and fruits worthy of repentance are in some sense necessary to justification. But they are not necessary in the same sense as faith, nor in the same degree. Not in the same degree, for those fruits are only necessary conditionally, if there is time and opportunity for them. Otherwise a man may be justified without them, as was the thief upon the cross (Luke 23:43). (If we may call him so, for a recent writer has discovered that he was no thief, but a very honest and respectable person!) But he cannot be justified without faith: this is impossible. Likewise let a man have ever so much repentance, or ever so many of the fruits worthy of repentance, yet all this does not avail at all. He is not justified till he believes. But the moment he believes, with or without those fruits, yes, with more or less repentance, he is justified. Not in the same sense, for repentance and its fruits are only remotely necessary, necessary in order to faith, whereas faith is immediately and directly necessary to justification. It remains that faith is the only condition which is immediately and proximately necessary to justification.
1771 text
God does undoubtedly command us, both to repent, and to bring forth fruits meet for repentance: which if we willingly neglect, we cannot reasonably expect to be justified at all: therefore both repentance, and fruits meet for repentance, are in some sense necessary to justification. But they are not necessary in the same sense with faith, nor in the same degree. Not in the same degree; for those fruits are only necessary conditionally; if there be time and opportunity for them. Otherwise a man may be justified without them, as was the thief upon the cross: (if we may call him so; for a late writer has discovered, that he was no thief, but a very honest and respectable person!) But he cannot be justified without faith: this is impossible. Likewise let a man have ever so much repentance, or ever so many of the fruits meet for repentance, yet all this does not at all avail: he is not justified ’till he believes. But the moment he believes, with or without those fruits, yea, with more or less repentance, he is justified. Not in the same sense; for repentance and its fruits are only remotely necessary, necessary in order to faith: whereas faith is immediately and directly necessary to justification. It remains, that faith is the only condition, which is immediately and proximately necessary to justification.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 43 in the 1771 Works. Ephesians 2:8.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.