CAP. III. The allegations of the Papists concerning the word justi∣fication: the two first significations thereof assigned by Bellarmine.
§. I.
HAving thus explained the true sense and meaning of these words, which in the holy Scriptures are used to signifie justification: let us now examine the allegati∣ons of the Papists concerning the same. Bellarmine therefore saith a that the word justification (meaning the Latine word) is used foure wayes in the holy Scrip∣tures, meaning the vulgar Latine edition, when as indeed neither the Latine edition it selfe, nor the Latine word is in this question further to bee respected, than as it is a true translation of the Hebrew in the Old Testament, and of the Greeke in the New. First, saith he, it is taken for the Law which teacheth righteousnesse, and so is used, Psal. 119. 8. I will keepe thy justifications: and vers. 12. teach me thy justifications, &c. This Bellarmine barely expoundeth, without any further enforcing: but Gregory Martin b, and our Rhemists c urge it as a principall argu∣ment: that the precepts of the Law are therefore called justifications, because the observation of them doth justifie us, and therefore exclaime against us, that in our translations, wee, in stead of justifications, doe read statutes or ordinances. As though in translating the holy Scrip∣tures we did professe to translate the Latine edition, and not the Ori∣ginal Text. Now the word, which in the old Testament is by the vulgar Latine interpreted justificationes, and by the 72. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is Chuqqim▪ which when it is used alone, signifieth undefinitely any of the precepts, statutes or commandements of God: but being used with other words of the like signification, from which it is distinguish'd, signifieth the sta¦tutes and ordinances of the Ceremoniall Law: insomuch that the vul∣gar Latine in many places, even where the Greek hath 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, rendreth Ceremonias, a as I shewed before d; which though the Latines sometimes call justificationes, yet by the confession of the Papists themselves do not justifie. And the like is to be said of Luk. 1. 6. where Zachary and Eliza∣beth are said to have walked in all the Commandements and justifica∣tions of the Lord: where the Greeke word is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which is the trans∣lation