[ 648] How faith justifieth alone.
Bethulia is in danger of Holofernes,* 1.1 the terror of the East, as we are (or ought to be) of the justice of God: and as the strength of Bethulia was thought too weak to encounter him, so all our Obedience to the Law of God is weak and in∣sufficient to defend us; Iudeth undertakes for the people of the City, Faith for us;* 1.2 Iudeth goes accompanied with her Hand-maids, Faith with her Works; and though the eyes of her Hand-maid were ever towards her Lady to carry the Scrip, &c. yet in performing the act of deliverance, Iudeth is alone, her Maid standing and waiting at the door, not so much as setting her foot within the Chamber door. Thus it is that faith goeth formost, and good works follow after; and al∣though our love and obedience be as attendant to Faith, as ever that servant was to Iudeth, yet in performing the mighty Act of deliverance, acquitting the consci∣ence from the curse of the Law, pacifying the anger of God, and presenting us blameless before his holy eyes (all which standeth in the apprehension of the me∣rits of Christ Iesus, and a stedfast perswasion, that he hath assured for us) Faith is soly and wholly alon••, our VV••rks not claiming any part in that sacred action.