The Fourth Argument

If when the Lord declares himself pacified toward us, he utterly shames us, and confounds us, in the sight and sense of our unworthiness, and unrighteousness; then he does not give to us our first assurance of the faith of our justification, upon the sight and sense of sanctification.

But when the Lord declares himself pacified towards us, he does utterly ashame us, and confound us, in the sight and sense of our unworthiness, and unrighteousness.

Therefore he does not first give us assurance of the faith of our justification, upon the sight and sense of our sanctification.

The consequence is plain from the law of contraries: for, if the Lord shame us with a sight and sense of sin; he does not then, first comfort and encourage us, with the sight and sense of sanctification.

Minor is proved (Ezekiel 16:63; Romans 4:5).

Ezekiel 16:63: That you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth any more because of your shame; when I am pacified toward you, for all that you have done, says the Lord God.

Romans 4:5: To him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.