Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	justification_n	meritorious_a	righteousness_n	3,361	5	7.8167	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A33925	The body of divinity, or, A confession of faith being the substance of Christianity, containing the most material things relating to matters both of faith and practice : published for the benefit and profit of all, especially those who love the Lord Jesus ... / by Thomas Collier.	Collier, Thomas, fl. 1691.	1674 (1674)	Wing C5268; ESTC R23929	303,320	630

it any other way it may be a Fancy only note this that we cannot be so Infalliable as to our particular Interest in Life as we are or ought to be in the Truth of the Doct●i●e of the Gospel as I have before minded because the one fixes only on the Truth of God the other not only on the Truth of God but likewise on the Truth of our own Faith which being accompanied with Imperfections may occasion Doubtings But of this more full in Chap. 15. of the Assurance of Faith 3. That in all the Fa●lings of the Saints for the Lord knew that his People could not live perfectly without sin in his New Covenant of Grace his Law of Grace on this account is that his People sincerely humble themselves confess their sins forsake them and beg Mercy and he will Forgive them for the sake of his Son And this is the Law of Grace in the New Covenant for support of Believers in their Spiritual Race and Warfare after Conversion and the way for them to have the Assurance of the Pardon of their daily Miscarriages it must come in from this Law of Grace it 's true I sin daily and come short in every Duty I know that in me that is in my flesh dwelleth no good Thing But it is my Burden I am in Truth humbled and do not only Watch and War against it but do daily implore the Throne of Grace for Pardon Hence I have ground from the Law of Grace to believe mine Acceptance and Remission of my sins this is the way of the New Covenant for the daily Pardon Peace and Comfort of the Saints Mat 6 12. Psal 32. 5 Prov. 28. 13. Heb. 8. 12. 1 Joh. 1. 9. Quest The Scripture saith that we are Quest 1. justified by Faith Rom. 5 1. 2. That we are justified by Grace Rom. 3. 24. 3. That God justifieth and Christ justifieth Rom. 8. 33 34. 4 That Works justifieth and not Faith only Jam. 2. 24. How may we understand these Distinctions and reconcile the Scriptures Answ 1. Faith is said to justifie not as Answ the meritorious or satisfying Cause of Justification that is Christ crucified only But as the conditional Cause or Terms on which we are justified that is we are not nor cannot be justified without it This is the Law of the New Covenant it 's said Rom. 4. 3. That Abraham's Faith was accounted to him for Righteousness or imputed as vers 22. 23. Not that Abraham's Faith was his Righteousness to Justification but God accounted him Righteous and doth account one Righteous that doth Believe or imputeth Righteousness to such a one that was not so accounted before nor can be Righteous without it for he that believeth not must be Damned So that Faith justifieth as it is the condition of Justification in the New Covenant on our parts to be performed though in the Spirit and Life of the Covenant or Law written in the Heart 2. We are justified by Grace that i● it 's all of Grace and nothing of Desert in us our Faith is not any meritorious Cause in us but it 's all Grace it 's Grace in God to give his Son for us and Grace in Christ to give himself and Grace in God as to us-ward to accept the Sufferings of his Son for us and Grace in him to Pardon and Justifie Sinners on their Believing so that it 's all Grace as from God and we may and ought to c●y Grace Grace unto it 3. It 's God that justifieth it is God the Father that justifieth 1. Because he Prepared and D●signed the Sacrifice and our Justification thereby John 3 16. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19 20. Heb. 10. 5. 2. He accepted the Sacrifice for us when offered Eph 5. 1. 2. and 1 6 7. 3. It is he that Pardons us that is justifieth us for the Sake of Christ our Peace-Offering when we do believe and Christ is said to justifie us as the Meritorious Satisfactory Cause of our Justification therefore it is said Rom. 8. 34. It is Christ that dyed c. 4. We are said to be justified by Works and not by Faith only because that the Faith to which Justification and Salvation is promised must be a working Faith and when Salvation is promised to Believing we must understand it to be such a Faith as the Gospel intends that is a Faith that carrieth in it Love and sincere Obedience to the Will of Christ it is a Faith which worketh by Love Gal. 5. 6. the contrary is a dead Faith as a Body without a Soul that will never justifie Jam. 2. 26. Thus Works justifie 1. The Truth of our Faith for Faith without Works is dead 2. Works justifieth in some sence as Faith doth that is not as the Meritorious Cause but as the Condition because the Faith to which Justification is promised includes Works in it and so is as truly the Condition of our Justification as Faith for the Gospel excludes that Faith as no Condition at all that is without Works so that Faith without Works is none of the justifying saving-Faith of the Gospel So that thus considered here is a sweet Harmony and Concurrence in those Scriptures and helps to a more full Understanding of the glorious Method of God in this way of Justification and Salvation of Sinners by Jesus Christ Object The Apostle saith Rom. 4. 4 5. Object Now to him that worketh the Reward is not reckoned of Grace but of Debt but to him that Worketh not but Believeth on him that justifieth the Vngodly his Faith is counted for Righteousness Answ We are to understand in this Answ Scripture by not Working is intended Meritorious Working that may deserve Life vers 4. it 's such a Working as that the Reward is not counted of Grace but of Debt not that we may not Work at all that is prophane to imagin But not to Work Meritoriously so as to expect Justification and Life as a due Debt for our Working here Works are nothing He that Worketh not in this sence but Believeth But Faith and Works as the terms on which God will justifie and save of his own Love and Grace in Christ Jesus is absolutely necessary to Salvation And further Works are necessary for thereby we shew forth the Life of Christ in our Mortal Bodies and glorifie God in our Bodies and Spirits who hath done and doth all freely for us and in us Quest Do not this seem to make Faith Quest and Works co-partners with Christ in the Work of Justification and Salvation contrary to Col. 3. 31. Christ is all and in all And Rom. 9. 32. They sought Righteousness as it were by the Works of the Law Answ It makes it no otherwise Co-partners Answ with Christ in the Work of Justification then God hath made it What God hath joyned together let no Man put asunder God hath joyned Faith and Work as the Condition and the Sufferings of his Son our Lord Jesus as the Meritorious satisfying Cause

one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the Iniquity of us all that is he hath laid on him the Penalty and Punishment of our Iniquities as vers 4. 5. explains it He hath borne our Griefs and carried our Sorrowes he was Wounded for our Transgression he was Bruised for our Iniquities the Chastisement of our Peace was upon him c. vers 10. It pleased the Lord to Bruise him he hath put him to Grief when you shall make his Soul an Offering for Sin c. That is his whole Man Body and Soul so Soul often imports in Scripture Now if God the Father make his Son an Offering for sin and lay the sin of Sinners upon him he must needs be satisfied and Well-pleased with such an Offering 2. Jesus Christ came into the World to 2. His Son came to do his Will do the Will of God Heb. 10. 7. Joh. 6. 38. Who gave him a Body sutable to this his Will that he might have some what also to offer Heb. 10. 5. and 8. 3. And it is apparent that it was the very Designe of the Father in sending him into the World that he might offer himself to God a Sacrifice for the sin of Sinners and therefore must needs be satisfied and well-pleased in that Work 3. The Scripture in plain terms declares 3. The Scripture declares that he is satisfied the Father to be well satisfied with and in the Sufferings of his Son for the sake of Sinners 1. From the Mouth of the Son himself Joh. 10. 17. Therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my Life c. And the cause of his laying down his Life see vers 15. I lay down my Life for the Sheep If God the Father loved him for doing this part of his Will then surely he accepted him in it and was well pleased 2. From the Testimony of the Father Mat. 3. 17. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased that is well pleased in all his Sufferings and Undertakings for Sinners Eph. 5. 2. Walk in Love as Christ hath loved us and given himself for us an Offering and Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling Savour Jesus Christ was a satisfactory sweet smelling Savory Offering to the Father for the sin of Sinners 4. The Efficacy of his Sufferings lay much 4. It lay much in the Fathers will in the Will of the Father for if the Sufferings of Christ had not fully answered the Fathers Will there could not have been so clear satisfaction to us Sinners that God had accepted the Sufferings of his Son for us as satisfaction to his Justice for the sin of Sinners But Christ accomplishing his Fathers Will in the whole Work it must needs be acceptable and satisfactory Heb. 10 9 10. Loe I come to do thy Will O God by the which Will we are Sanctified through the Offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all So that it 's evident that it was the Will of the Father that Christ came to Doe and the suffering of Christ concurring with and answering of this Will of God is it by which the Work is effected and we are sanctified 5. These things thus considered it necessarily 5. It followeth that the Offering of Christ was to satisfie Justice followeth that there must be some great cause of this wonderful Offering that must be given to God for Sinners for the Scripture speaks that this Offering was given to God Heb. 9. 14. Who through the Eternal Spirit offered himself without Spot to God c. And to what end may we suppose it to be that He offered himself without Spot to God Was it only to fulfill his Will and Pleasure or only to manifest his Love to Sinners or only to be a Pattern of Sanctity and Sufferings to his People as some imagine surely it must be both Irrational and Irreligious so to imagine It 's true all these was included in it but satisfaction to Divine Justice was the Foundation and Principal Cause of his Suffering he came to do his Fathers Will but it was in order to this that so he might shew Mercy to Sinners can any Man rationally imagine that God should send his only begotten Son into the World to be Abused Scourged Tempted Buffetted falsly Accused unjustly Condemned Crucified lay Punishments upon him c. only to fulfill his Will not relative to something further or to commend Love to Mankind or to be a pattern of Sanctity and Suffering Would any Parent deal so with an only Son Would it not be justly accounted Irrational and Tyranical God could have found out some more Moderate and Rational Way to have eff●cted such a Work But the Scripture tells us that Jesus Christ came to doe and did that for us which the Law could not doe Rom. 8. 3. which the Levitical Priesthood could not doe Heb. 7. 11. to 19 24. to 27. With Silver or Gold or Corruptable things could not do 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. That he was an Offering for Sin and Sinners that he offered himself to God that he Bear our sins in his own Body Dyed for us the Just for the Vnjust c. With Multitudes of like Expressions in Holy Scripture all which do abundantly discover that the Sufferings of Christ was to satisfie Justice and that the Father was satisfied and well pleased therein and therewith and did love the Lord Jesus because he was willing to undertake such a Service for Sinners and that he doth on this account that is for the suffering Sake of Christ Pardon and Justifie those who Believe in and Obey the Lord Jesus 1 John 2. 12. with Eph. 1. 7. 2. As it relates to us that is the Terms 2. As it relates to us it is on the terms of Faith Repentance and Obedience and Conditions on which it is administred to us and that is on the Terms of Faith Repentance and sincere Obedience to the Lord Though Justification comes free to us without any Meritorious Work of ours as the Deserving Cause yet as the Condition or Terms on which we must have it which is but Reasonable and Religious it is on our Faith and Obedience to the Lord. Hence it is that Justification and Salvation is so frequently in Scripture propounded on these Terms and indeed it 's never propounded but on these Terms either Exprest or Implied this was the Doctrine which was first begun to be preached by the Lord Mark 1. 14 15. and confirmed by them that heard him and were Commissioned by him Mar. 16. 15 16 Luke 24. 47. according to that Commission so they taught in this matter Act. 2. 38. Repent and be Baptized every one of you for the Remission of sins that is that your sins may be Remitted Acts 26. 18. 1. There must be the opening of the Eyes and a turning from Darkness to Light that is to the Light of Gospel-Grace and from the power of Satan to God and then

of God was as respecting the persons so chosen and elected without any respect to any foreseen faith or grace or good in them as the preceeding meritorious cause of election if any meritorious cause at all it must be in Christ Jesus in whom and for whose sake the election was the truth hereof appears that it was not for our goodness faith or holyness 2 Tim. 1. 9. Not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace that was given us in Christ Jesus c. And Rom. 11. 5. There is a remnant according to the Election of Grace and if it be of Grace then it is not of work as the Apostle reasons it ver 6. Obj. Though it be not of works as the meritorious cause yet it may be of works as the conditional cause as in the matter of Justification Answ Though Faith c. be the condition of Justification according to the law of the new Covenant which is effected in time yet it is not the condition of election the reasons thereof are 1. Because it s no where stated in the Scriptures as the condition of Election as Faith is the condition of Justification 2. Because in reason it cannot be for Election and choice was before time and so could not be on the condition of what we had not we were not nor had not saith when Elected therefore faith would not be the conditional cause of an act past in God before the supposed condition thereof was in being that could not be either the meritorious or conditional cause of such an act so that its evident that Election was of Grace and not of Work whereas Justification is not till we believe and obey the truth 4. To what persons are elected and that 4. To what persons are elected is to believe and obey the Gospel to be holy here and happy hereafter 1 Pet. 1. 2. Elect c. Through Sanctification of the Spirit unto Obedience Obedience as the end which includes faith and love and all the divine vertues and duties of the Gospel through or by the Sanctification of the Spirit hence faith is said to be The faith of the operation of God Col. 2. 13. Eph. 1. 4. The end of the eternal choice is described to be That we might be holy and that we might shew forth the praises of him that hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light 2 Thef 2. 13. God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation Jam. 2. 5. By all which it appears that the end of God in his Electing grace was that he might have a holy obedient people that might shew forth his praise and be eternally saved and glorified in the world to come 5. How persons may come to know 5. How men may know their Election their Election of God and that they are of the number of his Elected ones God hath in his word opened a way by which his people may in a good and comfortable measure know their Election 1 Thes 1. 4. Knowing Brethren Beloved your Election of God But how may we know our Election of God Answ When Gods ends of Election are effected in us by that we may and must know it if ever we rightly know it when Faith Love Holyness c. is effectually wrought in us by that we read our Election the effects of electing Grace wrought in us and this the Apostle clears having asserted their knowing of their Election ver 4. he discovers how they came to know it ver 5 6. by the effectual work of the Gospel in them Gods shedding abroad his love in the heart and uniting the heart to himself in truth of faith and love is the alone way by which Christians may read their Election So the Apostle for himself 1 Tit. 1. declares himself to be an Apostle after the Faith of Gods Elect. And how does he prove that By the acknowledgment of the truth which is after Godliness and persons that pretend to know their Election of God any other way deceive themselves 6. The Reasons why God Elected some 6. The reasons why God elected some to Salvation before the world was are 1. his love his special love its true that God had a love to all mankind for they were and are his he made the nature of all in the first man and determined the being or persons of all in time and loved all Joh. 3. 16. God so loved the world that he gave his Son c. But herein is discovered his special everlasting love Jer. 31. 3. Yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love c. and this is the new Covenant love a promise of Gospel grace to the Spiritual Seed as appeareth Chap. 30. 10. to the end and chap. 31. throughout here is the great and special love of God and of Christ who loved the Church and gave himself for it Eph. 5. 25. Even the Vniversal Church of the First Born whose names are written in Heaven Heb. 12. 23. 2. That his design of Salvation by Jesus Christ might not be altogether frustrated and come to none effect for such was the Metamorphis and change made in man by the Devil and Sin in the Fall being gone out from God that he would never be willing rightly to return to him again and this the Lord foresaw and therefore it stood with the honour of his whole name to choose some in his Son to be made partakers of the life designed by him that so our Lord Jesus might not suffer in vain but might see of the Travel of his soul and be satisfied it would have been infinitely below and unbecoming an infinite God to have entered upon such a work of such glorious concernment to his own name and the good of sinners and to be effected by so wonderful a way as the sufferings of his own Son without a certain fore-knowledge of its event yea and without the certain accomplishing of the whole after the councel of his own will and too low and base thoughts are they in men to think the contrary as if God should go about such a work as a man not determining the event before the undertaking by which all his design and Christs sufferings might nay necessarily would have been in vain that man was gone out from God so as not by his own will to return again is evident not only by experience but by Scripture Ps 81. 11. Job 21. 14 15. Prov. 1. 24 25. Rom. 3. 11. to 17. with many like Scriptures to this purpose wherefore it was necessary that God should give some to Christ John 6. 39. which are his Elected ones that they might obtain the salvation designed and he might not bestow all his labour and sufferings in vain Isa 49. 4 5 6. read it at your leasure and consider it well Obj. If God hath Elected some it Obj. seems contrary to the Scripture that saith he is no respecter of persons c. Answ It s true that