same Apostle says Rom. 10. 9. If thou shalt confess with thy Mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved This Confession and this Faith has more in it 't is true than some believe 't is not a verbal Confession only or a bare believing Christ was raised from the dead 'T is a believing with all the heart Acts 8. 37. or to throw our selves wholly on Christ by the Faith of the Operation of God Col. 2. 12 13. in full confidence and assurance that he was raised from the Dead as our Head Surety and Representative for our Justification by the Power or Virtue of which Faith we also rise with him from a Death in Sin to walk in newness of Life From hence I argue thus That Doctrine which confoundeth the Terms of the Law and Gospel together in point of Justification is a false and corrupt Doctrine But the Doctrine that mixeth sincere Obedience or Works of any kind done by us with Faith in point of Justification confound the Terms of the Law and Gospel together in point of Justification therefore that Doctrine is false and a corrupt Doctrine Obj. May be our Opposers will object that the Terms of the Law consist in perfect Obedience and that the Terms of the Gospel consist in Faith and sincere Obedience and therefore they do not confound the Law and Gospel together c. Answ 1. The difference betwixt the Law and the Gospel as all our true Protestant Divines teach doth not at all consist in this i. e. that the one requires perfect Obedience and the other only sincere Obedience but in this that the one requires doing Do this and live but the other no doing but believing for Life and Salvation their Terms differ not only in degree but in their whole Nature 2. The Apostle 't is evident opposeth the believing required in the Gospel to all manner of doing or working for Life as the Condition proper to the Law The Law is not of Faith but the Man that doth them shall live in them Faith in Jesus Christ the Mediator is not commanded by the Law by which the Soul shall live the Law saith nothing of this this is not of the Law And the Gospel speaks nothing of doing or working for Life neither of perfectâ—or 〈◊〉 Obedience but the direct contrary He that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the Vngodly his Faith not his Obedience to the Gospel but his Faith is counted for Righteousness If therefore we seek Justification by any manner of Doing or Works though upon never so easie and mild a Condition of Obedience we do thereby bring ourselves under the Terms of the Law which is a compleat Declaration of the only Terms whereby God will judge all and condemn all who are not brought to see the Insufficiency that is in it through the Flesh Rom. 8. 3. no justifie the Soul and from that sight and sense disown all their Works of Obedience and accept of Christ his Righteousness and perfect Obedience to the Law to justifie them in the sight of God for let our Obedience be never I so sincere if it be not perfect we are still Debtors to the Law and are a coursed by it unless we believe in Jesus Christ so that all who seek for Justification or Eternal Life knowingly or ignorantly by any Works done by thenâ—less or more whether commanded by the Law or Gospel confound the Terms of the Law and Gospel together And to this let me add one thing more i. e. it cannot be rationally doubted but that the Jews and Judaizing Christians in the Apostles Days against whom he contended did profess any hope to be justified by a compleat or perfect Obedience to the Law according to the rigour of it but no doubt thought if they did sincerely do what they could to love God and keep his Commandments they should be accepted and justified in his sight For the Jewish Religion taught them that professed it as one observes to acknowledge themselves Sinners which appears by their Anniversary Humiliation at the day of Atonement and several other Rites of the Law nor have we any reason to conclude but some of them yielded also sincere Obedience I speak of Moral Sincerity to the Law this being so I see not why their sincere Obedience might not justifie them as far forth as any sincere Obedience to the Gospel or milder Law can a Christian now Brethren this new Doctrine is but a piece of Old Judaismâ— These Men do but stumble at the Old Stumbling-stone which was the seeking to be justified by a man 's own Righteousness in a sincere or upright Obedience to that Law or Rule of Life God gave them and so thereby not submitting themselves to the Righteousness of God which is by Faith in Jesus Christ without the Law or any Obedience of ours Moreover pray consider that Paul who told the Galatians they were fallen from Grace did not disown Jesus Christ they were still Professors of the Gospel though they thought Obedience to the Law a necessary Condition in order to Justification also Nor was the Observation of the Moral Law a damning Sin No no the Gospel obliges to it but it was their seeking Justification thereby and not by Faith only or in that respect mixing Works with Faith 4. All Works done by the Creature are excluded in point of Justification of a Sinner in the sight of God because we are justified by a perfect Righteousness If no Man is in himself perfectly righteous then no Man can be justified by any Works done by him But the Apostle proves that the Justice of God requires a perfect or sinless Righteousness in point of Justification and also proves that all have sinned nor is there one that doeth good and sinneth not No Person has a perfect Righteousness of his own Alas Sirs the Law of God is but as a Transcript or written Impression of that Holiness and Purity that is in his own Nature and serveth to shew us what a Righteousness we must be found in if we are ever justified in his sight Nor can it be once supposed by any Man unless blinded that God will ever loose or relax the Sanction of his Holy Law or abate a jot or tittle of that Righteousness his Holy Nature and Law requires in point of out being justified in his sight it must be all fulfilled by us in our own Persons or by our Surety for us and imputed to us The Law did not only proceed from God doubtless as an Act of his Sovereign Will and Prerogative but as an Act proceeding from his infinite Justice and Holiness Can any be so left as once to conclude God sent his Son to destroy the Law or to diminish or take away the least part or tittle of that Obedience he therein injoins which so well agrees with the Perfections of his own pure Nature 't is strange to me
would have a sound and stedfast ground of Hope Peace and Comfort nay not only have the Joy of God's Salvation but Salvation it self For if you build on your own Righteousness or Obedience and not on the Righteousness of God which is received by Faith only you will fall into Hell by stumbling at the same stumbling-stone the Jews did Rom. 9. 32. Chap. 10. 2. 8 Arg. All Works done by the Creature are excluded in point of Justification of a Sinner in the sight of God because we are justified by that Righteousness by which the Justice of God is satisfied and his Wrath appeased That Righteousness that delivers us alone from Condemnation and the Curse of the Law doth justifie us and none else and is not that the Righteousness of Christ Is not he that is acquitted from Condemnation and Death put into a state of Justification and Life What is it that these new Doctors talk of How is Christ's Righteousness made our legal Righteousness and yet not our Evangelical Righteousness If the Righteousness of Christ be imputed to us as that which when apply'd by Faith delivers us from Condemnation Wrath and Death certainly we need no other Righteousness to justifie us in God's sight unto eternal Life Obj. But Vnbelief is against the Gospel what Defence against this Answ The Person that we speak of hath Faith he believes in Christ therefore the Gospel charges him not and the Law cannot Here is a Pardon if you receive it you are acquitted Here is a Plaster if you apply it you are healed The Man receives the Pardon applies the Plaster he is by the Grace of God helpt to believe he is therefore delivered from Death and put into a State of Justification and shall not come into Condemnation Rom. 8 1. 2. No Man is acquitted from the Charge of any Sin either against the Law or Gospel till he believes but when he believes when he applies the Merits and Righteousness of Christ he is justified from all Things from all Sins of what Nature soever they are Must we by our sincere Obedience make God a Compensation for the Sins we have committed against the Gospel and free Tenders of his Grace or for slighting the Word of Reconciliation c. Hath not Christ satisfied God's Justice for all our Sins and when we believe are we not thereby justified from all Sins committed against the Gospel as well as against the Law Have we any Plea at God's Bar but that of the Merits of Christ and his Righteousness only let our Sin or Guilt be what it will Quest But how doth it appear a Man doth believe in Christ indeed Answ Why his Faith if true will make him a new Creature 't will purifie his Heart it will lead him into sincere and universal Obedience but 't is Christ's Righteousness still nevertheless that justifies him in God's sight though his Obedience and inherent Righteousness may justifie his Faith or evidence the Truth of Grace to his own Conscience and to Men also But Obj. God doth require an Evangelical Righteousness in all that do believe this Righteousness Christ is not nor is it the Righteousness of Christ he may be said to be our legal Righteousness but our Evangelical Righteousness he is not And so far as we are righteous with any Righteousness so far we are justified by it for according unto this Evangelical Righteousness we must be tried if we have it we shall be acquitted and if we have it not we shall be condemned there is therefore a Justification according to it To this take reverend Dr. Owen's Answer According to some Authors or Maintainers of this Opinion I see not saith he but that the Lord Christ is as much our Evangelical Righteousness as he is our Legal for our Legal Righteousness he is not in their Judgment by a proper Imputation of his Righteousness unto us but by the Communication of the Fruits of what he did and suffered for us And so he is our Evangelical Righteousness also for our Sanctification is an Effect or Fruit of what he did and suffered for us Eph. 5. 25 26. Tit. 2. 10. 2. None have this Evangelical Righteousness but those who are in order of Nature at least justified before they actually have it for it is that which is required of all that do believe and are justified and we need not much enquire how a Man is justified after he is justified 3. God hath not appointed this Personal Righteousness in order to our Justification before him in this Life though he have appointed it to evidence our Justification before others c. 4. If we are in any sence justified hereby in the sight of God we have whereof to boast before him Though we may not absolutely in respect of Merit yet we may so comparatively and in respect of others who cannot make the same Plea for their Justification but all boasting is excluded And it will not relieve to say that this Personal Righteousness is of the Free Grace and Gift of God unto some and not unto others for we must plead it as our Duty and not as God's Grace See his further Answer Dr. Owen of Just p. 221 222. To close this take this Argument If by that Righteousness of Christ which is out of us though imputed to us the Justice of God is fully satisfied we are justified then all Works done by us or inherent in us are excluded in our Justification before God But by that Righteousness of Christ which is out of us though imputed to us the Justice of God is satisfied therefore all Works done by us or inherent in us are excluded in our Justification before God Finally saith Bellarmine Nothing more frequently doth the Scripture testifie than that the Passion and Death of Christ was a full and perfect Satisfaction for Sins Further he saith God doth indeed not accept as a true Satisfaction for Sin any Justice but that which is infinite because Sin is an infinite Offence c. De Just l. 2. Now the Sufferings of Christ and his Righteousness only is of an infinite Value ours is not therefore Christ's Righteousness only and not ours is a true Satisfaction for Sin Our Adversaries sometimes are forc'd to speak the Truth 〈◊〉 Arg. All Works done by the Creature are excluded c. Because 't is by the Obedience of one Man that many are made righteous that is Jesus Christ he is made of God unto us Righteousness c. Rom. 5. 18 19. 1 Cor. 1. 30. But our inherent Righteousness is of many i. e. every Man 's own sincere Obedience that obtains it 10 Arg. All Works done by the Creature are excluded in point of Justification I prove thus If any one Man was justified without Works or sincere Obedience or through Faith only then all Works of Obedience c. are excluded But the Thief on the Câ—oss was justified without Works of Obedience and so are all Infants that die in Infancy that are
own Faith to be the Gift of God or a Grace of the Holy Spirit but that which the Creature has power when the Gospel is Preached to act by common assistance and influences he hath power to do and perform as any other Duties of Religion as to Pray hear the Word c. And thus they make the whole stress of Man's Salvation after all that Christ hath done to depend upon the depraved and corrupt Will of the Creature and faith such a condition of Justification and Eternal Life as may or may not be performed which if true it might so fall out that not one Soul might be saved notwithstanding the precious price paid by Jesus Christ to redeem them for by the same purity of Reason one Man may resist the offers of Grace and not believe in Christ or exert that power every Man may as well do 〈◊〉 too See Mr. Troughton's Luther us Redivivus p. 2. 5. Some also there be who affirm that Justification consisteth in our being perfectly and inherently Holy by the Spirit Light or Christ within and that no â—an can be Justified unless he be in himself perfect without Sin These Men for all their late pretences in talking of Christ's righteousness yet 〈◊〉 evident those who assert this Doctrine say God doth not accept any where there is any failing or do not fulfil the Law and Answer every demand of Justice Edw. Burroughs Works 14 Queries p. 33. And another of their chief Teachers saith That Justification by the righteousness of another or which Christ fulfilled for us in his own Person wholly without us we boldly affirm saith he to be a Doctrine of Devils and an Arm of the Sea of Corruption which doth now Deluge the World Pen ' s Apol. p. 148. And again he says It is a great Abomination to say God should condemn and punish his innocent Son that he having satisfied for our Sins we may be justified by the imputation of his perfect righteousness Pen ' s Sandy Foundation p. 25. And then afterwards speaking of that Text Rom. 2. 13. Not the Hearers of the Law are Just before God but the Doers of it shall be Justified From whence saith he how unanswerably may I observe that unless we become Doers of that Law which Christ came not to destroy but as our Example to fulfil we cannot be Justified before God Nor let any fansie that Christ hath fulfilled it for them as to exclude their Obedience from being requisite to their Acceptance but only as their Pattern Pen ' s Sandy Foundation p. 26. No marvel they Preach up a sinless Perfection to be attainable in this Life or that Men may live and not Sin at all since without an actual Obedience in our own Persons to the Law in every part and branch of it no Man can be Justified in the sight of God We say there is no Man can be Justified but by a compleat and perfect righteousness either inherent in us or imputed to us but 't is evident by what I have already shewed no Man hath such a righteousness in himself there being none that doth good and sinneth not if we say we have no Sin we deceive our selves and the Truth is not in us 1 Joh. 1. 8. Paul cryed out When he would do Good Sin was present with him Rom. 7. Besides if a Man could live and Sin not yet he could not thereby be Justified because all have sinned and broke God's Law who shall therefore satisfie for and pay off the old score 6. Another sort there be that hold that some things must be done by the Creature not only to prepare for but to procure Justification not believing they can have this Wine and Milk without Money and without price Isa 55. 1 2. or something of their own They think they must make themselves clean and then come to Christ to be washed and Justified 7. There are others of late as well as formerly who by too many are looked upon to be true Preachers of the Gospel and Orthodox Men who are strangely tainted with that poysonous Notion which brings in sincere Obâ—dience unto the Gospel as joyning it with Faith in point of Justification Thus I find they express themselves viz. That Faith and Obedience are Conditions of the Gospel or of the Covenant of Grace as perfect Obedience was of the Covenant of Works and that Christ hath purchased by his Death that this new Covenant should be made with us viz. That if we would believe and obey the Gospel we should be pardoned and saved c. Therefore that for which we are Justified and saved is our Faith and Obedience and so far as I can gather the Faith they speak of doth not respect the taking hold of Christ's Righteousness c. but the Belief of the acceptance of our Person 's Holiness and sincere Obedience to the Gospel through Christ to our Justification Christ having taken away by his Death the rigour of the Law of the First Covenant which required perfect Righteousness in point of Justification and hath made the terms of our Justification easier viz. instead of perfect Obedience God will now accept of imperfect Obedience if sincere and acquit us from Condemnation and receive us to Eternal Life Now such who have always been looked upon as sound in this great Fundamental Point of Justification believe and teach Christ came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it and in our Nature and stead as our Head Representative and Surety to do and perform the terms thereof I mean the Law of Works which we had broken and by his Death made a full compensation to the Justice of God for our breach of it whose Actual and Passive Obedience or Righteousness is imputed to all who believe in him We say Obedience supposeth a Man Justified but these Men say that Obedience concurs with Faith to Justifie or is part of our Righteousness to Justification We affirm as a Worthy Divine Observes that Faith alone perfectly Justifies by trusting in the Righteousness of Christ so that there is no Condemnation to them who are in Jesus Christ Rom. 8. 1. or truly believe in him but they teach that Faith and Obedience Justifie only as the Conditions of the Gospel i. e. as thereby we doing what the Gospel requires of us and so we are Justified or accepted so far as our Faith and Obedience go and no farther and when they are perfect at Judgment we shall be perfectly Justified so that they render our Justification to be as imperfect as our inherent Personal Holiness or Sanctification is imperfect or to give it in the Words of a Learned Writer they intimate while we are imperfect our Justification is imperfect also and if our Faith and Obedience be interrupted or utterly lost Justification is interrupted and utterly lost likewise nor is it any wonder our Justification should be look'd upon by them to be imperfect while any Imperfections remain in us if the perfect
Apostle who are dead to Sin live any longer therein Rom. 6. 4. Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death v. 3. Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into Death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father so we should walk in newness of Life These Persons who were baptized being true Believers were in a justified State and though 't is true they by their Baptismal Covenant promised to walk in newness of Life yet the neglect of this is no more called the damning Sin nor is the performance of it that Righteousness they desire to be found in to Justification But 't is evident these Men place Obedience and Personal Holiness in the place of Faith and the non-performance of that inherent Holiness and Obedience in the room of Unbelief though we grant without Holiness no Man shall ever see the Lord yet 't is not for that or thereby we are justified and shall be saved but by the Personal Righteousness of Jesus Christ But to proceed as a further Confirmation that these Men deny that the Righteousness of Christ as 't is apprehended or received by Faith is that alone through which we are justified I might here cite another Author Mr. Truman Grand Propâ—iation p. 30. 86. who paraphrasing on those Words Rom. 3. 26. That he might be just and the Justifier of him that believeth in Jesus He saith That he that is of the Faith of Jesus or of the Christian Faith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And concerning the Effects of the Death of Christ or his Satisfaction he saith It was only this that the Obstacle being removed viz. offended Justice God might be at liberty to act in the pardon of Sinners in what way and upon what Terms he pleased The immediate Effect is that God might be just though he should pardon Sinners that he might pardon Silva Justitia not that he must pardon come what will of it or be unjust And further to exclude Christ's Righteousness from being the Matter of our Justification saith Mr. Troughton he saith that in our Redemption we 1. are not properly to be looked upon as Debtors nor God properly as a Creditor but as a Governor and Legislator we as Subjects and that Christ acted not the part of a Surety though he be once figuratively so called but of a Mediator expiating Guilt and making reparation to Justicâ— some other way than by the Execution of the Law yea endeavouring that the legal threat might not be executed by making amends for the non-execution of it 2. The Sufferings of Christ were not properly an Execution of the Law though they may figuratively be so called but a Satisfaction to Justice And further that it is contrary to Scripture and Reason to hold that Christ's fulfilling of and Obedience to the Law is accounted 〈◊〉 as if Believers had fulfilled and obeyed the Law in his doing it 1. And thus these Men go about to shake if they could nay overthrow the great Article of our Faith and glorious Doctrine of Justification as it hath been generally received by all Orthodox Christians in every Age of the Church clearly denying that which Christ did and suffered he did and suffered as a common Person as a Head Surety and Representative for all the Elect but that he did all meerly as a Mediator viz. as one endeavouring to compose the difference betwixt God and Sinners 2. Not that he fulfilled the Law of Works for us in our stead but that he fulfilled the peculiar Law of a Mediator 3. That Christ by undergoing the Curse of the Law delivered Mankind from the Curse thereof and by his active Obedience unto the Precepts of it purchased Life for them which the Law promised with other super-abounding additional Blessings but rather give Man a new and a milder Law of Grace or Terms of Life according as the Father and the Son should or did agree And only gave to God a valuable Consideration or Recompence that he might justly wave and not execute the Law of Works but give Man a new and milder Law of Grace or Terms of Life which clearly tends in a great measure to destroy or make void the Law instead of making it honourable by Christ's perfect Conformity to it in our Nature and Stead nor can the Righteousness of the Law be said to be fulfilled in us if what these Men say be true that is in our Nature or as some read it for us and indeed if Christ's Obedience and Suffering in our room and stead hath not delivered us who believe from the Curse of the Law Doubtless we are all under the said Curse still and so must remain for ever Nor can I see why Christ should take our Nature upon him were he not substituted in our stead as our Surety to do and suffer Besides how can our Sins be said to be laid upon him or imputed to him and his Righteousness imputed to us were he not put in our stead to do and suffer for us If that Righteousness which satisfied the Law of Works doth not justifie us I know not how we can be justified Nor can I see how the Honour of God in his infinite Justice and Holiness and the Sanction of the Law is repaired by this Doctrine But more of this hereafter 4. These Men do not say that the Righteousness of Christ whereby he fulfilled the Law is imputed to us who believe to justifie us in God's sight tho' for that Righteousness-sake God grants us pardon of Sin and hope of Eternal Life But rather so far as I can gather that Christ's Righteousness or Obedience is not imputed to us for which we should be justified and accepted as being an Obedience due to the Law of the first Covenant but to his own peculiar Law of a Mediator But yet so that Christ's Obedience did merit or purchase i.e. that God should appoint Men new and easier Terms of Life instead of perfect Obedience and Death for the failure of that Obedience Thus having given you several dangerous and corrupt Notions of Men about the great Point of Justification I shall proceed to give you in the last place the true Description Notion and Definition of it according as it hath been and is asserted generally by all sound Christians and faithful Men. Eighthly This is that which we say i.e. That Justification is an absolute Act of God's most sovereign Grace whereby he imputeth the compleat and perfect Righteousness of Jesus Christ to a believing Sinner though ungodly in himself absolving him from all his Sins and accepting him as righteous in Christ We affirm that Justification is the Acceptance of a Sinner with God as righteous through the Righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to him not that Justification is nothing more but the pardon of Sin or the not or non-exacting the Punishment of Sin due for the breach of the Law of Works and the
that justifies us from all things and that without any Works done by us either in respect of answering the Rules of Law or Gospel though never so sincerely performed All indeed that I can find he means is this i. e. That Christ's Merits are the Cause of the Gospel Rule and Promise and his Righteousness imputed is the Cause for which we are justified and saved when we have got new Hearts and answer the Rule of the Gospel in Holiness and sincere Obedience And thus though imperfect Obedience to the Law was Dogs meat yet imperfect Obedience to the Rule of the Gospel or Promise thereof if sincere is the Children's Bread nay that which they ought to seek Justification by and to desire to be found in If this Man's Doctrine may be received it should appear by him that Christ's Righteousness imputed and our Gospel-obedience mixt together justifies us But the chief part is our Conformity to the Rule of sincere Obedience and Christ's Righteousness cannot do by Faith alone without this of ours 2. But Soul know and be not deceived this Text hath always been urged by sound Protestant Writers as one of the Pillars of the Doctrine of Justification by the Righteousness of Christ applied by Faith alone St. Paul doth not only disclaim his Righteousness he had before Conversion or his Obedience to the Law in point of Justification but he speaks in the present Tense What things were gain to me those have I counted loss for Christ But that which he adds is more I do count all things loss He speaks as our Divines note of all both past long since and also now present whether Righteousness of his own in Obedience to the Law or Works done by him under the Gospel all he counted as dung in comparison of the Knowledge of Christ and his Righteousness or the Righteousness of God which is by Faith 3. 'T is to be noted how Mr. Williams and Bellarmine do jump together and agree in their Exposition of this Text The latter saith That by Righteousness which is of the Law are meant Works of Obedience done through the Knowledge of the Law by the only strength of natural Abilities before his Conversion To which Chemnitius and other Protestant Writers answer That Paul rejected not only his Works before his Conversion which he signifieth speaking of the time past v. 7. but also the Works of his present Condition yea doubtless and I do count all things but loss Mr. Williams saith They were the Jewish Privileges and that conceited Christless Righteousness which he once valued But saith he a Gospel-holiness is not here intended and that still by speaking in the present Tense Paul means what was past saith he Pray observe they both exclude the Righteousness of the Law done by natural or legal Abilities and they both agree to include an inherent Righteousness performed by gracious Assistance under the Gospel This Man is I hope no Papist though he strives 't is plain to maintain one of the grossest parts of Popery and that part God raised up holy Luther principally to detect Christians look about you for you are greatly concerned 4. Consider that the Apostle positively disclaims all Righteousness of Obedience done by the Creature in Justification before God and did relie on the Righteousness of God For if he sets our Righteousness or the Righteousness of the Creature in direct opposition to the Righteousness of God which is by Faith then that which is the Righteousness of God applied by Faith is not the Righteousness of the Creature though never so sincerely performed but the former is true Ergo 5. 'T is such a Righteousness Paul here intended that he desired to be found in both at Death and Judgment but durst he think you desire to be found in any Righteousness of his own at that Hour or in that great and dreadful Day As to this take what Reverend Downham and others say When a Man shall be summoned to appear before the Judgment-seat of God shall seriously consider with himself what he shall oppose to the Accusations of Satan to the Convictions of the Law to the Testimony of his own Conscience confessing himself to be a most wretched Sinner to the Judgment of God and most righteous Judge if he look back on his own Conversation as having nothing to trust to but his own Righteousness he shall find sufficient Master of Despair He may say with Anselm Terret me vita mea c. My Life doth terrifie me Alas what Man is fully able to say he is perfect or that he sincerely has done all his Duty in respect of that milder Law of Obedience which they talk of Sirs there is no way in order to Peace of Conscience for us but to do as Paul did i. e. renounce all our own inherent Righteousness and Obedience and fly to the Doctrine of Justification by the Grace of God through the compleat Righteousness of Jesus Christ received by Faith only For while a Man saith he retains this Opinion that he can be justified by his own Works or inherent Righteousness he can never be soundly persuaded that his Righteousness is sufficient for that purpose but hath just Cause not only to doubt but also to despair And this is the Cause of that Popish Opinion That no Man without special Revelation can be assured of the Remission of his Sins in this Life Downhamâ—oâ— Just p. 202. Brethren some of the Papists themselves have on a Death-bed been forc'd to seek relief by renouncing all their own Works and Obedience under distress of Conscience and to fly to the Righteousness of Christ only they kept it close to themselves lest that gap being opened their Trade should fall to the ground as appears by the Answer of Stephen Gardyner to the Bishop of Chichester Foxe's Acts and Mon. Vol. 2. p. 46. Take two or three Arguments further here viz. 1. If that Righteousness which is the Righteousness of God which is by Faith in opposition to the Righteousness of the Creature doth justifie us then all Works done by the Creature are excluded in point of Justification in God's sight But the former is true Ergo all VVorks done by the Creature are excluded c. 2. If Paul nor no other Child of God durst or dare to be found in any Righteousness of their own at Death or Judgment then Works done by us or sincere Obedience justifie us not but the former is true therefore no Works of ours nor sincere Obedience doth justifie us in God's sight 3 Arg. That Doctrine that holds a Christian down under slavish Fear by grounding his Justification on his own Works of Holiness and sincere Obedience is not of God but the Doctrine of Justification by our own Work of Holiness or sincere Obedience holds a Christian down under slavish Fear by grounding his Justification on his Works of Holiness and sincere Obedience therefore that Doctrine is not of God Christians take heed what Books you read if you
saved the Matter of Justification is one and the same the Balsam that cures our Malady is all one in Infants and in Adult Persons 't is Christ's Death Christ's Blood the Merits of Jesus Christ or 't is his active and passive Obedience which is our only Righteousness to discharge us from Sin and Condemnation Though the Mode or Manner of the Application thereof may be different to the Adult 't is by Faith only to Infants in a more secret and hidden Manner not known to us Nay Abraham David and Paul were not justified by inherent Righteousness but by Faith without Works of Obedience and as Abraham was justified so are all his spiritual and true Seed to them and every one of them is Faith imputed to Justification or Righteousness even by Faith alone without Works as Paul proveth Rom. 4. 3 4 5. 11 Arg. Is Because Christ is tendered or offered to Sinners as Sinners not as righteous Persons but as ungodly ones without any previous Qualifications required of them to fit themselves to receive Christ they are all as poor lost undone weary and heavy laden Sinners required to believe in Christ or venture their Souls upon him though they have no Money no Righteousness if they have they must cast it away in point of Dependance Trust or Justification These are they Christ came to call these are they he invites to come to him these are they he came to seek and to save who see nothing of Good in themselves but contrariwise are sensible of their filthy Hearts and abominable Lives And yet though it be thus if they come to Christ believe truly in Christ they shall at that very Instant be justified which Faith or Divine Grace will soon make them holy and sanctifie them for holy Habits are at that very instant infused into them though Sanctification is a gradual Work This being so it follows all Works done by the Creature are excluded in point of Justification of a Sinner before God What said Paul to the ungodly Jailor when he cry'd out Sirs what must I do to be saved Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved and thy house Act. 16. 31. The Apostle did not put him upon doing to be saved but upon believing But O how contrary is this to the Doctrine some Men preach now a-days they tell Sinners what they must do what good Fruits they must bring forth and this before the Tree is good or they have closed with Christ or have real Union with him nay bid the People take heed they do not too soon believe on Christ or venture on Christ Sirs you cannot too soon believe in Christ I mean truly believe I don't say you should get a presumptuous Faith but true Faith But is it not strange a Minister should be heard lately to say A Man must get a new Heart before he can be justified I thought a Man could not have a new Heart before he had true Faith Is not a new Heart one of the absolute Promises of the New Covenant Ezek. 36. 26. Can any thing short of Almighty Power make the Heart new or form the Image of God in the Soul or can a Man that hath a new Heart be under Condemnation for are not all in that Condition who are not actually justified Or can a dead Man quicken himself or dead Works please God Or the Fruit be good before the Tree is good Are not all that are new Creatures in Christ Jesus and have Union with him 2 Cor. 5. 17. 12 Arg. With which I shall conclude the Proof of the Doctrine though I might mention many more to prove all Works done by the Creature or Obedience of his are in this Case excluded c. It is because if a Man should so walk as to know nothing of himself i.e. be so righteous or so sincere in his Obedience as not to have his Conscience to accuse or reproach him yet he cannot thereby be justified See what Paul saith Though I know nothing of my self yet am I not thereby justified 1 Cor. 4. 4. Though he had kept a Conscience void of Offence towards God and towards Men yet in the Point of Justification he renounces all his own Obedience and Righteousness that was inherent in him Durst holy Job depend upon his Sincerity or venture in that to stand at God's Tribunal Though he could plead Uprightness against the false Charge of his three friends and with much Confidence persevere therein justifying his Sincerity with his Faith and Hope in God against their Accusatioâ—s he shewed his Faith â—y his Works and stands on his Justification of himself against Hypocrisie But at length he is called into the immediate Presence of God to plead his own Cause not now as it was stated between himself and his Friends before Wheâ—her he were sincere or not The Question was now reduced to this i. e. on that grounds he might or could be justified in the sight of God and God to â—â—epaâ—e him in this Case and to shew him what to plead at his Bar graciously â—anifested himself unto him And quickly now he comes to see all his former â—leas as Dr. Owen notes of Faith Hope and sincere Obedience would not avail â—â—m but he is made to fly under the deepest Self-abasement and Abhorrency 〈◊〉 Sovereign Grace and Mercy For then Job answered the Lord and said I â—m viâ—e what shall I answer thee I will lay mine hand upon my mouth Once 〈◊〉 I spoken but I will not answer yea twice but I will proceed no further Job 〈◊〉 3 4 5. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the Ear but now mine Eye â—eth thee Wherefore I abbor my self and repent in Dust and Ashes Dr. Owen How Job abhor thy self that art so holy so sincere such an upright â—an What is all the Beauty of thy inherent Holiness and sincere Obedience â—ecome nothing to thee Is it as Dung now Darest thou not appear before â—od in it not stand at his Bar thereby to be justified No no he saw that here was Sin cleaving to his best Duties and that he was vile in God's sight Sure thâ—â— agrees 〈◊〉 with Mr. Daniel William's New Doctrine It was not Goâ—â—el-holiness which Paul counted Dung says he No doubt Job's Righteousness was â—he Fruits of Faith as well as Paul's and purified his Heart too who says 〈◊〉 knew that his Redeemer lived Job 14 But yet for all this Holiness Upâ—ightness and sincere Obedience he abhors himself and repents he ever had 〈…〉 Conceit of the Worth of his own Righteousness Let a Man place himself in the Condition wherein Job was to stand before the Bar of God's Justice and let him attend to the Charge he hath against him and let him consider what will be his best Plea at God's Tribunal that he may be justified I do not believe saith the reverend Doctor that any Man living hath more encouraging grounds to plead for an Interest in his own Faith and