Our Reasons

If it be the spirit of grace shed abroad in our hearts that does beget faith in us: then if we were passive in receiving faith, we are much more passive in receiving Christ, or the Spirit of Christ, that begetteth faith: for if we have no life to be active until faith come; we have much less life to be active before the cause, and root of faith come.

But it is the spirit of grace, shed abroad in our hearts, that begetteth faith in us (Zechariah 12:10).

Therefore if we be passive in receiving faith; we are much more passive, in receiving the spirit that begetteth faith.

If we be active in laying hold on Christ, before he has given us his Spirit: then we apprehend him, before he apprehend us: then we should do a good act, and so bring forth good fruits, before we become good trees; yes, and be good trees before we be in Christ.

But these are all contrary to the Gospel (Philippians 3:12, 13; Matthew 7:18; John 15:4, 5).

Therefore we be not active in laying hold on Christ, before he has given us his Spirit.

Whether our faith be active to lay hold upon Christ for his righteousness, before the Lord do first impute the righteousness of Christ to us; we conceive no.