“One of these it must be,
– namely, something that is our own, which, whatever may be the influence of the grace of God unto it, or causality of it, because wrought in us and by us, is inherently our own in a proper sense;
– or something which, being not our own, not inherent in us, not wrought by us, is yet imputed unto us, for the pardon of our sins and the acceptation of our persons as righteous, or the making of us righteous in the sight of God. Which of these it is the duty, wisdom, and safety if a convinced sinner to rely upon and trust unto, in his appearance before God, is the sum of our present inquiry.”
John Owen, Justification by Faith, p. 9