runs away from Christ and his People and Ordinances and can rejoyce when hee is furthest from Communion with him or can be content with beholding Christ afar off or conceit he hath enough of Christ already this is to bee far from Christ and from beleeving Caut. 6. Take heed that we bar not our selves out from Imputed Righteousnesse by inventing or pleading some pretence distinction or difference to exclude us as to say that it is the greatness and multitude of our sins shall hinder us or the imperfection of our duties and services or the littlenesse of our humiliation or the fewnesse of our good works declaration of his righteousness which is mentioned and repeated as a principal matter that the Spirit of God would have us take notice of the which is amplified First by an Exegosis or Explication Secondly By the adjunct of time to declare at this time c. This latter remains to be spoken to Quest What is meant by the Righteousness of God here Answ This is needful to bee opened because it is certain that Righteousnesse is ascribed to God in several respects and significations Righteousness of God the father taken four waies Divines do usually reduce them to four significations First That the Justice or Righteousness of God doth signify his Rectitude and Integrity and Purity as it is opposed to sin Psalm 11. vers the last the Righteous Lord loves righteousness his countenance doth behold the just It was said before vers 5. The Lord tryeth the Righteous but the wicked his soul hates c. This is usually called universal Justice and comprehends all virtues or moral perfections in it Secondly It is taken for the Mercy Goodness bounty of God whereby hee bestows many benefits on his Creatures 1 Sam. 12.7 Samuel saith to Israel Let mee reason with you of the Righteous Acts of the Lord which the Lord did in Egypt sending Moses and Aaron to them and bringing them out of Egypt and in the 45. of Isa 13. The Lord raiseth up Cyrus in Righteousnesse that hee should build up Jerusalem and let go the Captives and his thus sending of Moses and Aaron and raising up of Cyrus were signal Acts of his Mercy Thirdly The Righteousnesse of God signifies his Truth and constancy in keeping his Word and fulfilling his Promises 1 Joh. 1.19 If wee confess our sins hee is just and faithful to forgive c. Not that hee will forgive meerly for our confession of them as if there were any thing in the Act of confession to deserve forgiveness but 't is because hee is faithfull hee hath promised to forgive them and so will bee as good as his word Isa 45.19 I said not unto the seed of Jacob seek yee mee in vain I the Lord speak Righteousness that is this I have promised and I will do it Fourthly Gods Righteousness signifies that perfection of God whereby hee distributes to every one according to their works rewarding the godly and punishing the wicked Psal 9.7 8. The Lord hath prepared his Throne for Judgement and hee shall judge the world in righteousness The Lord is there described as the Judge of all the World and so judging righteously every person So also the Word is taken Rom. 1.32 Who knowing the righteous judgement of God that they that do such things are worthy of death and the word is rendred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies righteous Judgement and that is to punish with death them that are worthy of it Nahum 1 2-6 So Jerem. 51.56 The Lord God of recompence shall surely requite you I will not further inlarge this but still the Question remains which of these waies the righteousnesse of God is taken in this place for it is manifest that the righteousnesse of God is in all these respects evidenced in the Justification of a sinner for First There is the Truth and Faithfulnesse of God Luk. 1.69 70. Hee hath visited us as hee spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets c. So Act. 10.43 To him give all the Prophets witnesse c. Secondly His Mercy and Goodnesse doth appear in our Justification This David hath recourse unto in Psal 51.1 2. Bee merciful unto mee and according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out mine iniquities But I conceive the Apostle doth intend onely the first and last sense for they are not contrary I mean Gods rectitude and his distributive or his relative and vindictive justice but are co-ordinate and the one doth infer the other but especially his vindictive justice is meant in the Text and this appears first because the Apostle had mentioned before both his Grace and Free grace in the forgiveness of our sins and also the imputation of righteousness vers 24. and his Truth too vers the 21. This was testified in the Law and the Prophets therefore now he speaks of another distinct Attribute of God namely his Justice Secondly The Apostle addes several Expressions to signify this as first hee saith that hee might bee just and the Justifier they are Conjugates and relate to the proper meaning of the word Justice which is suum cuique tribuere The Justifier of him that is of man who is unjust So that the Apostles meaning is the Lord justifies a sinner in a way of Justice Secondly Hee saith that God would declare his Justice in the way that hee proposes for the sinners Justification Thirdly Hee doubles the words to declare his Righteousness implying this that God would have us to take special notice of it for it is as much as if the Apostle should have said there is not onely Mercy and Truth in a sinners justification but there is also Justice in it The Lord declareth his justice in this thing and therefore it is that the Father set forth Christ to bee a Propitiation that hee might declare his Righteousness If the Lord had said Well ye are great and grievous sinners I am content to forgive you all your sins this would have declared the grace of God But when hee saith also that this is through the redemption that is in Christ and that hee hath set forth Christ to bee a Propitiation and that the blood of Christ was shed for thy sins this doth declare his Justice as much as his Truth and Grace Fourthly There is another expression to this purpose To declare I say at this time what is that but in the times of the Gospel since that Jesus Christ hath shed his blood for though the Justice of God was but darkly signified in the Old Testament by the Types of the Sacrifices and punishments inflicted yet it was far more clearly held forth by the Death of Christ and that the chastisement of our peace was on him Fifthly Adde to all these the like phrase used in other Scriptures declaring the justice of God 2 Thess 1.5 6. Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgement of God c. and vers 6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 OR THE PLAIN DOCTRIN OF THE JUSTIFICATION OF A Sinner in the sight of God Justified by the God of Truth in his Holy Word and the cloud of Witnesses in all Ages WHEREIN Are handled the Causes of the Sinners Justification Explained and Applied in six and twenty Sermons in a plain Doctrinal and Familiar way for the Capacity and Understanding of the Weak and Ignorant By Charles Chauncy President of Harvard Colledge in Cambridge in New-England 1 Cor. 3.10 11. According to the Grace of God given unto mee I have laid the foundation Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ. London Printed by R. I. for Adoniram Byfield at the sign of the Three Bibles in Corn-hill 1659. HONORATISSIMO ET NOBILISSIMO HEROI Amplissimo utique et Piissimo Domino GVLIELMO Vicecomiti SEY SEALE Nec non Illustrissimo et Dignissimo Viro Domino NATHANIELI FIENNES Unie Dominis Custodibus Magni Sigilli Angliae Hoc grati animi et debitae observantiae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 D. D. D. C. C. The Preface to the Christian Reader Christian Reader IT may perhaps seem strange that any thing should bee further adventured to the Presse about such a common Theme or Argument as the Doctrin of Justification is concerning which so many Large Volumes have been published in this last Age of the World for the clearing of it with such exactnesse of Scripture Truth with such evidence and demonstration of the Spirit that it can hardly bee conceived what can bee added thereunto Therefore to remove such a scruple in the entrance I shall suggest unto thee a few Considerations First That although much hath been published concerning this point yet generally thou shalt finde that either it hath been handled Polemically or in a Controversal way for the Confutation of many Errours and Heresies that do contradict it and blaspheme it as especially the Doctrin of the Papists and of the Socinians doth or else if Doctrinally by laying down the positive Truths concerning it Yet very briefly and summarily so that many weak understandings conceive it only in a confused but not in a distinct way which had need most plainly and clearly to be conceived This therefore I have endeavoured according to opportunity and such help as the Lord hath given mee more distinctly and largely to hold-forth desiring to condescend as God hath inabled mee to the meanest capacity It was piously and prudently spoken by Reverend Mr. Dod That too many Ministers deal like unskilful Archers that they do shoot over the heads much more the hearts of their hearers and miss their mark whilst they soar so high either by handling deep points or by using of obscure and dark expressions or phrases in their writing or Preaching of these things 2 Because this Doctrin is fundamental 1 Cor. 3.11 and that wherby we build upon the only foundation of eternal salvation that is Jesus Christ Now it is most dangerous to be mistaken here Yea this is the very center of all Christian Religion wherein all the lines do meet all other Doctrins do either lead to it or flow from it and are preserved by it Hence it is that Paul in all his writings especially in the Epistles to the Romans and Galatians treats so largely of this point In Praefatione in Epis ad Gal. and so Luther professes that this Article reigned in his heart this about faith in the merit of Christ from whom and through whom and into whom al my cogitations do flow and return Yet I do not find that I have found out or comprehended of the wisdom of such height and breadth and depth but some weak and poor first fruits and fragments and a little after he saith That wee had great need most diligently to bee acquainted with this Article whether wee bee young or old whether wee bee learned or unlearned for this rock must needs be cryed up that is Christ held forth in the Justification of a sinner which if that men should hold their peace the stones would speak of and extol And again This Doctrin can never be sufficiently handled and inculcated for that it being thrown-down or sinking the whole knowledge of the truth together is cast-down and perished But when as this Doctrin flourisheth all good things flourish as the true worship and glory of God the certain knowledge of all states things Accordingly Chemnitius saith that Justification is as if it were the Castle and chief bulwark of the whole Doctrin of Christian Religion which being either darkned or adulterated or over-thrown it is impossible to continue the putiry of the doctrin in other points But this doctrin being kept and preserved intire all Idolatries and Superstitions and whatsoever corruptions are found in other points do fall to ruine 3 Because my place and particular imployment wherein I hope that my desire is to serve the Lord in truth and to seek the great benefit of youth Eph. 6. and Students who are to be trained up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is in the doctrin of the Lord that may put a right understanding into them I say that my particular imployment hath moved mee to represent this doctrin of Justification as a Standard of truth and salvation to them which they should hold fast and as the Lord shall call them thereunto hold forth in their generations for the benefit of the Churches of Christ as they shall find it consonant to the analogy of faith in the Scripture of Truth 4 In regard of long experience in ministerial work I have found not only prophane or civilized persons but even many ancient Professors extreamly ignorant in this point and having only some confused notions and general implicite understanding and faith which is much to bee lamented especially in these daies of light and knowledge and places of pretious liberties and opportunities and which is worse it is extreamly dangerous to such persons in regard of their everlasting estate This being life eternal to know the onely true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Joh. 17.3 For the removing and avoiding of which disconvenience if my poor indeavours in these Sermons shall be available in any measure to work in thy heart any sound and grounded consolation and good hope through grace Let the grace of God in Christ Jesus have all the glory of it To whose instruction and soul-saving and soul-satisfying and infinite goodness thou art commended by Thy Friend in Christ Jesus C. C. Courteous Reader These Books following are Printed or sold by Adoniram Byfield at the Three Bibles in Cornhill next door to Popes-Head-Alley THE History of the Evangelical Churches of the Vallies of Piemont containing a most exact Geographical Description of the place and a faithful account of the Doctrin Life and Persecutions of the Ancient Inhabitants together with a most naked and punctual relation of the late bloody Massacre 1655. and a Narrative of all
afflicted condition but run for help and as the poor Widow served the unjust Judge Luke 18.4 5. weary God with thy complaints never let him rest till hee give thee a yeelding answer according to that promise Isa 56.6 7. 6 Adventure upon the grace of God in Christ Cast thy self on his mercy cast thy self on his mercy as did the Prodigal Luke 15.18 saying I will arise and goe to my Father c. what hope could such a Vagabond wretch have of his Fathers acceptance yet he thought it best to adventure upon this course Thinks hee if I must perish I will perish at my Fathers door you know how hee sped Just like those Lepers in the gate of Samaria 2 King 7.4 Mind their successe 1 Consider the large extent of the vertue of Christs death Motives Consider the extent of his death unto all sorts both Jewes and Gentiles 1 Tim. 2 6. God will have all to be saved Joh. 6.37 Him that comes unto him hee will in no wise cast out It is no matter who nor what manner of person he be or hath been so he come at last he may assure himself he shall not be cast out whatsoever villany hee hath lain in suppose him a Drunkard Murtherer Persecuter c. So 1 Joh. 2.1 2. and Gal. 3.28 Christ said to the polluted child lying in his bloud live Ezek. 16. Christ calls not righteous but sinners great and foul sinners Matth. 9.13 yea his bitter enemies Rom. 5.6 8 10. When wee were enemies c. Christ hath opened a door to the vilest sinner 2 Consider the large offer of Christ by the Ministry Consider the large offer Mat. 22.9 All sorts are invited to the feast Luke 14.21 He that is Christ shall stand for an Ensign to the people an erected standard Isa 11.10 to gather whole Armies to him under Christ their General and Commander This standard no opposite rage of the wicked can ever pluck down but it shall be rest to them that gather unto it though sinners have no rest in themselves Moses lifted up the Serpent that all might look unto it for cure of their stingings so is Christ lifted on the Crosse that all may see a Redeemer Joh. 3.14 15. and so lifted up in the Word that every wounded soul in the world may hear him speaking peace to them that are near and to them that are afarre off and if Christ hath appointed himself to bee lifted up to all poor undone Sinners then see that you slight not your remedy but come lifting up your heads with joy for your redemption draws nigh 3 Consider how serious an offer the Lord makes of Christ Crucified Consider how seriously the offer is made to all to whom the Gospel is preached Isa 9.6 The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this Giving a strict command that it be carefully preached to every Creature Mark 16.15 annexing a promise of his presence with it He keeps the fountain open Zach. 13.1 not shut up nor sealed but open for all commers Say not God doth but mock us for hee knows sinners cannot come and receive him for they rather will not come nor receive Christ Joh. 5.40 You will not come unto me that you might have life And you may see God is in good earnest for you are like to be damned for not obeying 2 Thess 2.12 Therefore Christ is serious and no man perisheth but by his own fault that hears these truths preached to him 4 Though it be true Receive Christ and that witnesseth he is sent to thee That Jesus Christ did not lay down his life for every particular man or woman to whom this Gospel is preached yet this is the only sure way to put it out of question that he dyed for thee in particular that is to receive and embrace the Lord Jesus and him crucified John 1.12 Acts 10.12 Isa 56.3 7. Beleeve in the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved Acts 16.31 Hee certainly dyed for all them that doe beleeve The Extremity of Christs Sufferings THE NINTH SERMON ON Romans 3.24 25. Through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ Vse 2. Of exhortation to the Saints TO prosecute this point yet further take a second use of Exhortation for the Members of Christ that have an interest in this satisfaction to consider the several Duties this truth calls them to 1 It calls to bitter mourning for sin all our dayes Christs members should mourn for sin It should maintain a constant spring of godly sorrow in our hearts to consider what the Lord Jesus hath undergone for us and what wrong and injury wee have done him For the clearing which minde that famous place Zech. 12.10 The Lord saith I will pour out upon the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication and they shall look upon him whom they have peirced and they shall mourn for him c. This place concerns properly the Jewes but typically the whole Church of Christ And it imports that they shall have such a work of God upon their hearts that they shall look upon Christ crucified by faith and mourn that themselves have peirced him and that hee was wounded for their iniquities and bruised for their transgressions and not only for them but by them yea by every sin that hath been committed by them Thus should every Christian doe that hath any interest in Christs sufferings even to be in bitternesse for every sin as a man is in bitternesse for his only Son Which expression hints to us the manner measure and degree of their mourning You know Parents mourning for a Son and an only Son and a Son whom themselves have murthered with their own hands is very bitter tongues cannot expresse it but tender Parents may imagine it and Davids mourning for Absolon represents it with Rachels grief that would not be comforted It is again compared to the mourning of the valley of Hadadrimmon c. that is as the mourning of Judah Jerusalem and Jeremiah for the death of Josiah slain by Pharaoh Necho 2 Chro. 35.24 25. which was exceeding bitter as appears in that the Singing-men and Singing-women speak of Josiah in their Lamentations to this day yea they composed solemn Lamentations for Josiah and made it an Ordinance in Israel that they should lament for him in after times Such a mourning should that bee of the members of Christ for him whom their sins have peirced upon these ensuing grounds 1 That thou mayest not say Grounds of Saints mourning the Jewes only slew the Lord Jesus and that thou hadst no hand in it Bee assured that Christ was wounded for and by the sins of all those that shall be saved Isa 53.4 5. yea there is never a sin that any of the Elect ever did doe or shall commit but peirced Christ If he suffered not for it it cannot be forgiven All the Jews and Gentiles Devil and all could not
will justify but that and therefore to seek justification or quieting to a troubled soul by any other is but to spend our mony for that which is not bread Isa 55. or to go to buy bread with brass mony such as is not current coyn in Heaven Nay other knowledge is so far from bringing peace to a disquieted spirit that it brings with it tormenting and vexation of spirit Eccl. 1.18 Hee that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow other knowledge may and will puff up 1 Cor. 8.1 2. but this will humble humble us in our own apprehensions but really exalt us Prov. 4 8. Exalt her and shee will exalt thee Other Divine knowledge will build well but the knowledge of Christ laies the foundation 1 Cor. 3.11 this must needs have great substance and strength that bears up all the weight and bulk of the whole Christian edifice and let mee speak from my heart to all Students that hear this that unless your main care bee to get this knowledge you do but build Babels and Castles in the air And oh that many would make this their great study if they did there would not be so many new waies to heaven and false lights as there are 2 Pet. 3.18 19. Direct 2. Make this thy great heart design in comming to hear the word Preached for to get faith seeing it comes by hearing Resolve upon that end and think with thy self if thou commest with any by-ends the searcher of hearts will meet with thee if thou hast an Idol in thy heart thou shalt bee answered according unto it Ezek. 14.7 How many come with their Idols Some to get other knowledge and not of Christ Some to judge the Minister and to carp at the truths delivered Some to see and to bee seen and others out of meer formality and custome But alas where are they that stir up themselves to lay hold on Christ Isa 64.7 Direct 3. Remember to follow the example of the Bereans and in searching the Scriptures be much in studying the promises Act. 10.43 Act. 13 38 39. Think it not enough that you are Children of the Covenant as the Jews were Act. 3.25 but yee must become also the children of the promise for they only are accounted for the seed Rom. 9.8 Direct 4. Bee very watchful that carnal Objections and Cavils against Christ or his heavenly Mysteries or Doctrine arise not in your hearts without checking of them and strugling against them Thou mayest as easily empty the Ocean with a Cockle shell as measure the mystery of godliness with carnal Reason Do not cast off any truth of Christ because you can see no reason for it or cannot understand how this or that should bee Prov. 3.5 Trust in the Lord and lean not on thine own understanding Luther hath such a speech That mans corrupt reason is a terrible enemy to faith and this is the reason why many great Scholars are left of God And so our Saviour saith I thank thee O Father c. Matth. 11.25 Nicodemus will say How can these things bee Joh. 13.6 and the Philosophers will say of Paul when hee goeth to Preach these things what will this Babler say Oh! but remember God will confound the wisdome of this World thou shouldest rather say with Agur when thou hearest the Doctrin of Christ surely I am more brutish than any man when hee heard of Ithiel and Vcal I have neither Wisdome nor Knowledge of the most holy being an humble teachable heart to the word preached Pro. 8.4 5. and if any man among you seem to bee wise let him become a fool that hee may bee wise 1 Cor. 3.18 Prov. 9.4 5. Direct 5. Look at it as an extream vilenesse in thine heart and wily working of Satan when Christ is preached and the grace of God in Christ if thou canst go away from the word preached with an unbeleeving unmoved heart Observe for this two or three places Joh. 8.26.31 Christ had been preaching of the Father and of himself and his own death his mission and Commission and pleasing of the Father and vers 30. the text saith when hee spake those words many beleeved on him the Spirit takes special notice what words they were that wrought upon the hearers i.e. Christs unspeakable conjunction with the Father the Sufferings and Cross of Christ his holy Life and Death they stood out long but now they yielded So 2 Cor. 4 4-6 If our Gospel bee hid c. in whom the God of this World hath blinded the eies of them that beleeve not c. that is all the beauty of God the Father that shines in the face of Jesus Christ his Wisdome Justice Mercy Truth c. are hid from them Satan blinds them and their own naughty hearts and there is also a dreadful judgement of God in it Direct 6. Labour for Self-denial for wee must renounce all confidence in the flesh Priviledges Duties righteousnesse of our own Phil. 3.3.9.10 the righteousnesse of Faith excludes all this this is our betaking of our selves to the wings of Christ Matth. 23.37 i.e. wholly to bee under the covert of them as chickens under the wings of a Hen in a storm Use 4. It is a great comfort to you that beleeve in the Lord Jesus you are in the right way to the Father Joh. 14.6 you are in a most blessed estate Eph. 1.16 Jam. 2.5 the world looks at you as poorly provided for but you have abundance you are rich in faith and rich in Christ partakers of his unsearchable riches Eph. 3.8 1 Cor. 1.5 Vse 5. It serves to teach beleevers a main duty that most concerns them to practise i. e. to go on in a justified estate by faith in the Lord Jesus or imbracing the mercy of God in Christ and that because 1 They have the main principle in them to maintain a justified estate which others want viz. justifying faith Gal. 2.6 Though the well of living waters bee very deep beleevers have wherewithall to draw out of it They have a price in their hands to get wisdome Christ is neer Eph. 2.13 he is neer who iustifieth Isa 50.8 Isa 46.13 2 The benefit of justification should be maintained constantly in a Christians heart and that lively and as far as may bee without interruption and though our justification bee in it self unchangeable yet it is changeable in the diverse effects of it Our peace and comfort is often ebbing and flowing and subject to darknings as with David when hee saith I am cast out of the sight of God Psal 31.22 and cryed his bones were broken and that hee lay in the deep and therefore that wee may maintain our peace its worth our while to take pains in preventing our decaies and declinings It is easier to preserve peace and joy than to recover it out of an afflicted and dark condition as its easier to maintain health and strength than to fetch it at deaths door easier to keep the fire burning than to blow it up
and chiefest seeking especially such a Kingdome as is founded in Gods righteousness Oh! that poor deluded sinners would take heed of Couzening their own souls in a matter of this great importance for beloved know it that Gods righteousness is the wedding garment Matth. 22.11 and there bee many will thrust in themselves amongst those that have it whom the Lord will find to bee without it one day to their utter expulsion out of his presence Use 3. Comfort It lerves for the strongest ground of comfort to poor discouraged beleevers that is in all the World that it is no other than Gods righteousness upon which their justification and salvation is grounded the comfort is inestimable and cannot possibly bee reacht by our weak understandings see the particulars 1 A Beleever hath a righteousness that can satisfy the Law fully the Law requires perfect obedience and the Gospel returns perfect obedience Rom. 3. last Do wee then make void the Law c. i.e. the very doctrin of faith doth establish the Law 1 Because whatever the Law requireth wee perform it in Christ by faith 2 By faith we glorify God his justice and make a full payment thereof by God in Christ 3 If wee had stood in innocency or had had as much righteousness as Adam before the fall or the Elect Angels yet all this had been but the righteousness of a poor creature but this is Gods righteousness 4 This righteousness can make a sinner righteous but so the Law could never do 2 This is everlasting righteousness Dan. 9.24 i.e. first continual though wee commit new sins continually yet this righteousnesse is like a fountain opened Zach. 13.1 2. it can never bee lost as Adams righteousness was and the Angels too It was a great miracle that the Lord wrought for his people in the Wilderness that forty years together their cloathes waxed nor old upon them Deut. 29.5 than is nothing in comparison of this everlasting righteousness which is a Garment of Salvation that will never wax old Psal 119.142 3 This Righteousness is the righteousnesse of the Judge himself its Christs own righteousnesse and who is there may not tremble to remember that fearful day of most strict and exact account But Jesus Christ himself cannot finde any spot in his own righteousness or any fault with it and therfore the great comfort of the faithful is in this against the great day If any man sin wee have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous 1 Joh. 2.1 ◠4 This is the Marrow of the whole book of God on which the salvation of all that shall bee saved depends To such as fear my Name the Sun of righteousnesse shall arise c. Mal. 4.2 and this is witnessed by the Law and the Prophets as the text hath it but is far more gloriously revealed in the New Testament Rom. 1.17 and if this righteousnesse of God should fail us then were preaching in vain faith in vain as the Apostle saith in another case yea the Scriptures should bee in vain Moses and the Prophets and the Apostles should not onely bee lyars but false witnesses and that in open Court and upon record Now can wee think that the God of truth would deceive us by sending such a company of false witnesses to us far be it from him Mark Rev. 19.8 9. To her i.e. to the Lambs wife was granted that she should be arayed in fine linnen which is the righteousnesse of Christ the Fleece of the Immaculate Lambe But is there no question of this v. 9. we are assured of the truth of it these are the true sayings of God viz. the certain and undoubted sayings of God who will not lye and his hand and seal for it Therefore it is said in the daies of the Gospel 〈◊〉 shall say surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength Isa 45.24 Oh! what a foundation is here of faith and stedfastness to rest our selves on So that we may say we are arrived at the fair Havens the fairest port in all the World Consider wee but what wee are in our selves it may make us prize it wee are but shameful naked creatures Rev. 3.18 but this righteousnesse will cover our nakedness nay but this is but a small matter in comparison to what the Prophet sayeth Isa 61.10 I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord c. for hee hath cloathed me with garments of salvation hee hath covered me with the robe of righteousness as a bride-groom decketh himself with ornaments and a bride adorneth her self with her jewels It is the joy of a true Beleever that God is his God in Christ and that hee hath in Christ such a Princely and Priestly robe as is called the robe of righteousness and the garment of Salvation i.e. the righteousness of God a Garment of Gods own making and it is as the bride-groomes robe and hee will at his marriage not onely cover our shame but appear with his Ornaments too and if this bee too little hee addes also the Brides Ornaments and Deckings also wherewith shee is attired on her wedding day thus Psal 45.13 14 15. The Kings Daughter is all glorious within c. shee shall be brought to the King in ralment of needle work c. these are such things as wee are wont to admire for beauty and excellency but there are far greater things than those in the Lord and his righteousness Use 3. Exhortation to every soul to seek after this righteousness Seek after Gods righteousnesse Surely the name that is here given it is a sufficient motive 1. It is Gods righteousness efficiently not onely in a General sense as the earth is the Lords and every good gift comes down from him as the Father of lights but subjectively that inherent righteousness that is in the Saints may bee called Gods righteousness as an effect of Gods grace but man is the subject of that but that person who is God is the subject of this righteousness 2 This puts a sinner not only into a safe estate but into a state of abso lute perfection Understand it not as the deluded Familists and Quakers imagine as though there were no sin in him or done by him but that though considered in himself hee hath many corruptions wants and weaknesses yet in Justification hee hath none at all but is compleat in Christ 2 Pet. 1.4 Col. 2.10 there are many that do boast of outward excellencies and seek them only to have profit pleasure and credit but account basely of the children of God that want such low things but alas these outward things are not our compleatness but many times do hinder it and you that do content your selves with your Philosophy and knowledge of arts consider that it will not make you compleat yea if you rest in it it is vain deceit and will spoil you in the main Col. 2.8.10 And what though you adde to it an outward profession frequent ordinances vers 11 12.
yet neither will these make you perfect 3 This will be your security in the day of wrath Prov. 11.4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath but righteousness delivereth from death Quest How may a sinful man or woman get he righteousness of God There being a wide distance betwixtt God and man yea that which is infinite Answ To let pass the things before pressed and insisted on there be these things in this place and context observable 1 Let us bee settled in the certainty not onely that there is such a righteousness of God but also that the same is attainable by poor sinners This is here witnessed by the Law and the Prophets such as God hath sent whose Testimony hee hath approved of and sealed to yea such who many of them have sealed this and the like truths with their bloods and such as Christ himself hath appointed witnesses to him Act. 1.8 and all concurring in this Testimony So that the witnesses are beyond exception 2 See the evidence thereof in the Gospel where it is revealed Rom. 1.17 See it there shining with its own light it was more implicite and veiled heretofore it was but darkly proposed in the Law and the Prophets formerly but in the Gospel it appears as the Sun in the firmament in all its lustre and brightness 3 Labour for a deep apprehension and sense of this righteousness of God it is a proved truth that both Jews and Gentiles are under sin Rom. 3.9 21. and hee addes that it is written there is none righteous no not one and vers 19. all the world is guilty before God and nothing but the righteousness of God will remove this guilt 4 Consider the nearnesse of Gods righteousness Isa 46.13 I will bring neer my righteousness it shall not bee far off and my salvation shall not tarry Isa 50.8 Hee is near that justifieth mee c. 1 In that this righteousness is the righteousnesse of God-man Rom. 5.15 17. By the obedience of one man c. 2 It is the righteousness of Faith Rom. 9.30 it is made ours by faith 3 This is wrought and applyed in the Ministry of the Gospel 2 Cor. 3.10 Of the Imputation of Christs Righteousness THE TWENTIETH SERMON ON Rom. 3.21 22. But now the righteousness of God without the Law is manifested being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets Even the righteousness of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ REmission of sins and Imputation of righteousnesse go alwaies together Rom. 4.6 7. There are not two parts of Justification but distinguished by the terms from which and to which as all by one act darkness is expelled and light brought in Doct. 2. That the righteousnesse of God is Imputed to beleevers or is conveyed to beleevers by way of Imputation 1 Imputation is not expressed in the Text but it s necessarily implyed and understood for the righteousnesse of God cannot bee conceived any way to bee mans but only by way of Imputation Because it is not righteousnesse that is or can bee wrought by a meer man 2 Though inherent righteousness in Beleevers may be called Gods righteousness as some take Matth. 6.33 yet the Apostle cannot mean that here because hee speaks of righteousness without the Law and the works of the Law besides the Apostle treats here of Justification as it is plain but inherent righteousness belongs to sanctification 3 It is said that the righteousnesse of God is to all and upon all that beleeve that is it is appointed unto them upon them i.e. accounted theirs or put upon them by way of Imputation 4 It is the righteousnesse of God by faith i.e. apprehended by faith Other Scriptures do consent to this truth Rom. 4.6 11. as David describes the righteousness of the man to whom the Lord imputes righteousness without works viz. of his own vers 11. righteousness imputed to all beleevers vers 24. It was not written for Abraham onely but for us to whom it shall bee imputed if wee beleeve in him who raised up Jesus from the dead So 2 Cor. 5 21. wee are made the righteousness of God in him not in our selves 1 Cor. 1.30 Christ is made to us of God righteousnesse and that is no other way than by Imputation The same is proved by those places where it is said Faith is imputed for righteousness Rom. 4.5 for faith considered as a quality inherent in us can bee no more imputed for righteousness than other graces that are infused by the same Spirit of God therefore this must needs bee understood in regard of the object of faith which is Christ and his saving righteousness which faith doth apprehend hence Rom 4.5 To him that worketh not but beleeveth c. For the opening of this something had need bee said concerning Imputation of the righteousness of Christ because it is a term that the Papists do Cavil at taking the Scripture word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to signify Thinking or doubtful opinion for how can that bee ascribed to God as this is Rom. 4.6 but the word signifies to Reckon or Account taken by a borrowed speech from Merchants reckonings and accompts who have their debt-books wherein they set down how their reckonings stand in the particulars they deal upon Now in such debt-books Merchants use to set down whatever payments are only made either by the debtors themselves or by others in the behalf of them an example whereof wee have in the Epistle to Philemon vers 18. where Paul undertakes to Philemon for Onesimus If hee hath wronged thee or oweth thee any thing put that on my account i.e. Account Onesimus his debt to Paul and Pauls satisfaction or payment to Onesimus Which Answers the double Imputation in Point of justification i.e. of our sin to Christ and of Christs satisfaction to us both which are implyed 2 Cor. 5.21 Hee made him to bee sin for us i.e. our sin was imputed to him that wee might bee the righteousness of God in him i.e. his righteousness might bee imputed to us Now the Imputing Christs righteousness unto us is A Gratious act of God the Father Definition of Imputation according to his good will and pleasure whereby as a judge hee accounts the Beleevers sins unto the surety as if hee had committed the same and the righteousness of Christ unto the beleeever as if hee had performed the same obedience that Christ did in his own person So that Christs imputed righteousness is as effectual to the full for the acceptance of the beleeving sinner as if hee had yeelded such obedience to the Lord himself hence his righteousness is called our righteousness Jer. 23.6 It is true there is mention of a double imputation Rom. 4.4 5. now to him that worketh is the reward reckoned not of grace but of debt but to him that worketh not c. Here bee two Imputations the one hath the ground in him to whom the Imputation is made the other is founded on the will of him
God in such a way as to overthrow his truth his truth of his promises Tit. 1.4 Grace Mercy and Peace are from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ There is no Mercy to bee expected from God but through Jesus Christ Luk. 1.50 His mercy is on them that fear him they that do not fear God have no title to his mercy so there is the truth of his threatnings that hee will not bee merciful to any wicked transgressour Psal 59.5 to any one that loves his sin and lives in it and refuses to bee reformed Gods mercy is as it were the bridge over the pit to carry the soul to heaven but a man that hath his eies will bee careful that he tread not beside as upon the shadow of the bridge instead of the bridge Yea it is railed as it were with his truth beware of going without the rail lest you drop into the pit now those that we speak of go with out the rail and the promises and threatnings are against them so they do evidently trust in a lye saying They shall have Peace Mercy walking in the stubbornness of their own hearts Deut. 29.19 20. but the Lord saith hee will not bee merciful to such but besides the great delusion is that they do look for pardon of sin by meer mercy with the wrong or denial of the justice of God 3 There cannot possibly bee any remission of sin unlesse that God can pardon in Justice as well as Mercy There can bee no dispensation for this If God could have pardoned sin without the price of redemption then certainly Christ dyed altogether in vain For what did the father send forth Christ to bee the Propitiation for sin to shew his justice how can they beleeve that if Gods justice did not exact the price If the price might have been omitted without any prejudice to his justice could God bee eternally just if hee had not punished sin at all Prov. 17.15 To justify the wicked without satisfaction to justice is an abomination to the Lord and will the Lord do that which is abominable to him will any King put his own Son to death to save a traitours life when hee can freely pardon the traitour if hee will surely that were an unnatural and a cruel part and can wee think that God the Father will give up his onely begotten Son to death to save sinners when hee may out of meer grace and mercy pardon them without such a sacrifice certainly God would never do it Briefly the sinner must necessarily satisfy justice either by himself or by his surety or else it is utterly impossible that his sin should bee forgiven Heb. 10.26 27. Without a sacrifice for sin there remains nothing but a certain fearful looking for of judgement and fiery indignation that shall devour the adversaries Doth any soul expect pardon without Christ then hee expects peace without any sacrifice for him but the Text saith that without this there remains nothing but a fearful expectation c. Briefly such a hope of pardon is interpretatively no better than Atheism and denial of God For it denies the justice of God it denies his purity and holinesse it denies his Soveraignty yea it denies Christ if the Lord bee God hee is just and holy and Judge of all the World and if hee bee just hee cannot pardon sin but in a way of justice and that sealed by Christs blood I pray consider that Psal 89.13 14. Thou hast a mighty arm strong is thy hand and high is thy right hand consider what a God you have to deal withall hee is a mighty strong God no creature is able to withstand him if hee bee displeased Object I but he is merciful too Answ 1. Psalm 89.14 Justice and judgement are the habitation of his Throne mercy and truth shall go before his face justice and judgement are the basis and supporter of his Throne take away justice and you pull down his royal Throne you make him no longer King or Judge mercy and truth are his harbingers 2 They are offered first and when refused Justice doth execution So a like place Psal 36.5 6. Thy mercy O Lord is in the Heavens and thy faithfulnesse reacheth unto the Clouds that is there is a vastnesse and immensity in both they are very great but whence is his Justice so great his righteousnesse is like the strong mountains c. as if hee had said the righteousnesse of God is as unsupportable and unmoveable as the strong mountains and his judgements they do not swim aloft but they are an infinite and unsearchable depth You cannot bear them nor remove Gods righteousness nor measure or fathom his judgements and thou that art a sinner hast these mountains ready to fall upon thee and art sinking into this great deep What is it that makes the Devils eternally miserable but that they have no Christ to satisfy the justice of God and if a sinner on earth live and dye without Christ he is as uncapable of salvation as those in the 2 of the Ephes 12. Object 2. The Justice of God is answered in Christ for mee Answ True indeed there is no other Name under heaven given amongst men whereby wee shall be saved and happy is that soul that can groundedly plead this and most miserable is he or shee that is deceived herein it is an errour in the foundation 1 Cor. 3.11 Other foundation can no man lay Beloved let us take heed of an errour in this which is very common 1 Joh. 3.6 7. Consider whether there bee not Gods Writ sent out against you frequently signed in an open Court as Micaiah said to Ahab 2 Chron. 18 2â— hath not the Lord pronounced against thee in the threatnings in his Word yea hath not the Arrest been served upon thee in the secret accusation of thy conscience when thou hast shifted it off as Felix did Pauls Sermon Act. 24.25 Consider how thy heart is affected with the doctrin of Gods justice and the judgements to come Is it not with thee as it was with that unhappy Felix doth not thy heart I say not onely tremble but swell against the truth of God doth it not secretly wish there were no Assizes yea art thou not still in the Jailours custody as a malefactor Beware of that which Elihu speaks Job 36.17 18. thou hast fulfilled the judgement of the wicked judgement and justice take hold on thee that is they are seizing upon thee Because there is wrath beware lest hee take thee away with his stroak then a great ransome cannot deliver thee will hee esteem thy riches no not gold nor all the forces of strength Gods Justice in a Sinners Justification THE FOUR AND TWENTIETH SERMON ON Rom. 3.25 26. That he might be just and the Justifier c. NOT onely the exact Truth of God Doct. 1 or the abundance of his Grace but also his strict justice do concur and act in the justification of a sinner in
is every unregenerate man his saying there is no God is his thought that is to take away his very being as farre as he is able a wicked man is not only content that there should bee no God or wishes that there were no God which is a monstrous and horrid villany but he concludes it peremptorily in himself there is no God and walks accordingly yea and whereas Gods Throne should be in the heart he thrusts him out from thence by such godlesse principles as this is I might enlarge this and clearly demonstrate unto you how that sin overthrows all the Divine properties his Mercy which it abuses his Justice which it denies his Truth which it belyeth his Holinesse which it makes like it self c. and the Lord may well complain of it that he is pressed under it as a Cart that is full of sheaves yea that he is broken with our whorish hearts departing from him c. Now let every soul that hears this Judge impartially how it can bee possible that the Lord of Hosts the King of glory should pardon them that doe willingly harbour such evident opposition against him and all that you have heard and much more may be said to bee in every sin wherefore it cannot bee without violation of Gods Nature that sin should passe unpunished or that no satisfaction at all should be required by this Divine Justice for it can Justice cease to be just then truth may bee turned into a lye and holinesse into wickednesse and God may cease to be God Briefly though sin be not infinite as God is for then God could not overcome it yet it is in some sort infinite in the malignity of it the Apostle saith Rom. 7.13 that it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that sin by the Commandement might be exceeding sinful sin can have no worse name than it self if it could the Apostle would have hit on it but saith hee that sin by the Commandement might bee Hyperbollically sinful and that by the Commandement which should redresse it Sin I say is in some sort infinite Sin in some sort infinite and that because 1 It is committed against an infinite Majesty and as it is a greater evil to strike a King than to strike a private person so it must needs bee a high degree of villany to strike at God 2 It is boundlesse in causing sin in the sinner and others also Rom. 6.19 Yee have yeelded up your members to iniquity there is no stop in sin It is said of Jeroboam that he sinned and made Israel to sin 3 It is boundlesse in regard of the Sinners will for it is contrary to the Will of God 1 Pet. 4.2 and if the sinner should live ever he would sin ever 4 It is in some sort infinite in regard of the mischief which it doth for it deprives us of an infinite good of the love of God and the sense and comfort thereof of communion with him of the joyes of Heaven and instead thereof brings infinite miseries The worm that dyeth not the fire that is not quenched Mar. 9.44 46 48. Obj. Though God in the Scripture speaks thus yet this is but to skare us wee hope that God will bee better than his word Ans If thou hast as much Religion or honesty as Balaam the false Prophet thou wouldest say with him Numb 23.19 God is not as man that he should lye and can the God of truth ever speak lyes This is a flat denial of God and a transforming of him into the likenesse of sinful man Rom. 3.4 Let God be true and every man a lyar c. Now what a sad consideration is this that a poor Creature must bee eternally miserable unlesse that God cease to bee God and the Scripture cease to be true would you not judge him to bee in a miserable condition who is never likely to bee freed from tormenting pains unlesse the Sun falls from Heaven and the frame of Heaven and Earth bee dissolved yet Luk. 16.17 It is easier for Heaven and Earth to passe away c. than God to speak untruth The Heavens and the Earth shall one day be burnt up but the Word of God is setled for ever in Heaven Psal 119.89 Obj. 2. But though Gods Word be sure yet happily hee may change his mind in respect of some men and women in the world and so we may speed well enough Ans No Job 23.13 hee is of one mind and who can turn him and what his soul desireth even that he doth Psal 33.11 The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever and the thoughts of his heart to all generations to make God mutable is to make him no God and is to charge him either with ignorance or error which are the causes why men are changeable in their wayes but these things are Atheistical and inconsistent with the Nature of God besides if the Lord should deal otherwise with one sinner than hee doth with another then Gods wayes were not equal contrary to that Ezek. 18.29 Obj. 3. Though God be not changed yet I will bee changed I will leave my sins and change my course and then I hope I need fear nothing Ans It is true of some of Gods threatnings denounced in the Scripture Jer. 18.6 that upon our repentance they shall not be accomplished and it were happy for thee indeed if thou wert changed both in heart and life but let me say as the Prophet doth Jer. 13.23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the Leopard his spots then may they who are accustomed to doe evil learn to doe well Thou goest on in a course of sin and a custom thereof and hardnest thy heart in it and this makes thy change unlikely but grant thou couldst change yet it is not any change of thy course for the future that can satisfie Justice for sins past as for example Suppose a Bankrupt-Tenant should be for many years behind with his Landlord but at length turns a good husband and payes his rent duely ever after the Landlord may take it for part of payment but he will also exact the old scores so suppose thou shouldst reform for the future yet thou canst not doe that perfectly neither yet who shall pay thy old Scores thy old Whoredoms and Thefts thy old Lyes Sabbath-breaking Ale-house-haunting Night-walking c. I say who shall pay for these So suppose a man hath long robbed his Neighbour and now he robbs no more this is something but he must satisfie the Law for old robbings and so it is in the case we have in hand Briefly if thou hadst committed but one small sin all thy life time yet all possible reformation cannot satisfie justice for that there being infinite evil in the least sin and God requiring an infinite satisfaction Obj. 4. But how can God deny to shew mercy to his Creatures and how can he pour out his anger for ever upon the work of his own hands Ans Isa 27.11 It is
right and will not punish sins twice So that although they are not exempted altogether from Gods fatherly Chastisements and afflicting hand in this life yet there shall bee no condemnation unto them the exactnesse of Gods Justice cannot doe this Job 38.10 11 12. Farre be is from the Almighty that hee should doe wickednesse c. It would be rightly accounted great injustice in a Magistrate to punish the same offence twice therefore much lesse can God be guilty of it Comf 3. This serveth to answer all cavills and objections though there were Millions of them that can bee made against the good estate of a beleever That is a precious truth that alone overthrows all contrary errours Such is this that our sins are pardoned not only in a way of truth and mercy but in a way of justice Sathan and our own Consciences will object many things against our comfort if we plead only the mercy and the truth of God and will say but where is then the Justice of God Can Mercy pardon without the consent of his Justice but now whilst we beleeve in Christs satisfaction justice and peace kisse each other yea justice saith I am pleased Many things will bee cast in our dish in the day of temptation about the multitude and greatnesse of our sins and our manifold grievous relapses but Tit. 2.14 Christ hath redeemed us from all iniquity hee hath paid the full price that justice could exact or require and we may say as it is in Jam. 2.13 Mercy coming through saith rejoyceth against judgement Comf 4. This is the special favour of the Spouse of Christ that they can plead the righteousnesse of God in Christ as the Lord saith Hos 2.19 I will betroth thee unto me for ever yea I will betroth thee unto me in rightteousnesse and in judgement and in loving kindnesse i. e. in free grace pittying our miserable condition and in faithfulnesse and truth performing his promises that he hath made but is that all No but hee will doe it in righteousnesse too that is in a way whereby he will declare his justice as well as his mercy and truth This is the sure match that the Lord hath made with a poor soul which will stand good not only in the Court of Chancery but in the Court of Justice or Common Pleas too Such an inviolable match hath the Lord made with a poor beleever and how then can he break off from it to leave the soul in a state of Widdowhood Isa 62.4 Thou shalt bee no more termed forsaken but thou shalt bee called Hephsibah for the Lord delighteth in thee Vse 4. For instruction and exhortation and there might be several branches of it 1 If pardon of sin is given and must be received in a way of justice as well as in a way of mercy and truth then let every soul seek pardon of God in such a way as may stand with Divine justice There is many a condemned Malefactor standing at the barre that cries for mercy in vain at the hands of the Judge not considering the place of the Judge which is to doe justice So it fareth with many convicted and awakened sinners they goe to God in such a natural way as Benhadad went to Ahab saying The Kings of Israel wee have heard are merciful Kings so they say we have heard the God of Israel is a merciful God I will goe to him with sackcloath about my loyns and ropes about my neck i.e. with Humiliation and Self-judging and I hope that hee will pardon me Beloved in the Lord this is needful and commendable and I would not discourage any one from it but the distressed sinner is forced to it by the sense of his misery and some natural instinct and indeed alone it is insufficient to prevail with God unlesse he can plead his justice too as well as his mercy Thence you finde that God is described so Isa 45.21 There is no God else besides me a just God and a Saviour i. e. none besides me that is a just God in saving of sinners hee so saves as that hee may be just still and none can save so besides this just God as Jer. 3.22 23. Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills and the multitude of the mountains in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel for shame hath devoured the labours of our fathers and we lye down in their shame for we have sinned against the Lord our God It is but a vain thing for you to take pains to goe to any other for salvation besides this just God and if ever he save you it will be in a way of justice Quest What is that way of justice that we must expect justification in Ans There is or can be but one way that was ever heard of to satisfie the justice of God that sinners might bee justified i.e. by the Father's making his own Son a propitiation for them that is the mystery in the text that God forgiveth sins through the bloud of his Son and beloved consider that Luther took a great deal of pains to understand this and prayed much and earnestly to the Lord for it before he could get the right meaning of it The mystery is this That the Son of God manifested in the flesh must make his soul an offering for sin to satisfie Divine justice or else all Mankind must perish eternally Then if this bee so let every one see the great necessity of getting into Christ and accordingly fly without delay to the Lord Jesus Let me say to thee as it was said to Lot Escape for thy life neither stay c. lest thou bee consumed deliver thy self as a Roe from the hands of the Hunter or as a Bird from the hand of the Fowler My thinks this Argument should fire every sinful man out of his miserable estate and make him fill Heaven and Earth with cries that he may gain Christ yea my thinks the Lord seemes to take the Lingerers by the hand as he did Lot Gen. 19.16 The Lord being merciful to them to bring them to Christ The Arguments whereby I would presse this upon poor sinners are The urgent and extreme necessity of a Redeemer for a sinner not only because the Scripture cannot be broken Joh. 10.35 which saith Without shedding of bloud there is no remission Heb 9.22 Besides there is no pardon of sin but in the New Testament and where a Testament is there must needs be the death of the Testator Heb. 9.16 or else the Testament is of no force Nor only the necessity of Gods unchangeable Decree who chuseth every soul that shall bee saved in Christ Ephes 1.4 and these are inviolable things but this is the extreme necessity that now I must needs put you in mind of i.e. the necessity of Gods nature that he is so just that hee can by no means acquit or clear the guilty Look how impossible it is that the God of truth should
Justice is one of Gods Essential Attributes so that he is denied to be God if he bee denied to bee just hence Paul reasons Rom. 3.5 Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance God forbid for then how should God judge the world this is to thrust God out of his Judgement Seat Hence it is that there is no work of God that hee doth to Mankind at any time but there must needs be an act of Justice in it Psal 145.17 The Lord is righteous in all his wayes therefore if he pardon sin he must doe it in a way of righteousnesse and if he punish sin he must doe it in a way of righteousnesse this he doth by the necessity of his nature It is most certain this righteousnesse of Gods nature is eternal and sin is committed in time but this being supposed that sin is committed it must necessarily follow that a just God must punish it Obj. 2. But with what punishment must he punish it For Answer look into Rom. 1.32 who knowing the Judgement of God c. the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies the righteousnesse of God In this answer of the Apostle there are three things to be noted First That this is universally known even by the very Heathens that he speaks of and whose wickednesse he describes before even they by the light of nature and the workings of their own Consciences do acknowledge the justice of God Secondly That this righteousnesse of God is the cause fountain and rule of all punishments that are inflicted for thus it is described that they that commit such things are worthy of death and that the wages of sin is death yea even eternal death Thirdly this is natural and essential to God for though in respect of the exercise of it it is occasioned by men or devils yet in respect of the foundation and root of it the Divine perfection or Gods blessed nature requires it Now for the Objection Object If a man can forgive a trespass committed against him then God can without satisfaction Answ It follows not for first a man forgives wrong done unto him but to forgive sin without satisfaction is another matter for sin hurts an universal good Secondly It is one thing for a private person to forgive the offence and another thing for a publick person as a Judge if a Judge forgives without satisfaction hee sins against his office and calling now shall not the Judge of all the world do right Thirdly a mans justice is not essential hee may bee a man though unjust but Gods justice is himself Fourthly a man is subject to a Law but God is a Law to himself Object If God punish sin naturally and necessarily then hee must punish sin to the utmost of his power as fire burns but God doth not so Answ This follows not for that necessity whereby God punisheth sin requires not that hee should punish sin as much as he can but as much as is just for God doth not act as senselesse creatures but with understanding and will with liberty accompanying his actions Eph. 1.11 Hee worketh all things after the counsel of his own will thus you see how the justice of God being the very nature of God it must needs act in the justification of a sinner Reas 2. The same may bee cleared by the infinite holinesse and purity of God which is likewise one of his divine perfections Thou art a God of purer eies than to behold iniquity So 1 Sam. 2.2 God cannot behold sin with an eye of approbation but when hee looks upon it it is with an angry and revenging eye Psal 5.4 5. Thou art not a God that hast pleasure in wickedness God hates sin naturally and necessarily therefore hee must punish it either in the Sinner or the Surety according to the demerit of it Exod. 31.7 He will by no means acquit the guilty though hee bee most merciful to those that are in Christ in whom his justice is satisfied yet hee irreconcilably hates and abhors all such as are guilty Jer. 44.4 Do not this abominable thing that I hate hee cannot acquit them or free them from punishment but hee must violate his own nature therefore hee must needs condemn and punish them and whomsoever hee justifies it is upon the ground of the satisfaction of his justice in and by Christ on their behalf and thus you see there must needs be justice in the pardon of them because he is unchangeably holy Reas 3. A third Reason or Ground is taken from the supream providence of God and his Government of the world considered with the nature of sin Psal 9.4 5. Thou sittest in thy throne judging right and vers 5. Thou hast rebuked the heathen thou hast destroyed the wicked thou hast put out their name for ever This Supream government of God is universal and extended to all the World Hee doth necessarily impose and exact obedience at the hands of reasonable creatures and in case of disobedience hee must needs reduce the creature into order as being Judge and Law-giver Hence are these places 2 Thess 1.6 It is righteous with God to recompence vengeance to those that trouble you Heb. 2.2 Every transgression of the Law received a just recompence of reward Jude 7. The Sodomites suffer the vengeance of the justice of eternal fire Now let sin bee considered and it overthrows the supream government of God Rom. 1.31 It s rebellion against him it pulls him out of his Throne and deposes him from it therefore by some act of Government and Authority which is exercised in a way of justice the sinner must bee brought into order and though Gods wise and gracious dispensation hath laid upon Christ the punishment of our sins I mean the sins of the elect yet punished they must bee in the sinner or surety and there can be no dispensation for that without denial of the judiciary power and justice of Almighty God Vse 1. First use for Conviction and Terrour to vile sinners that are out of Christ It is a terrible thing to be out of Christ That seeing pardon of sin is not onely in a way of mercy and truth but also in a way of righteousnesse it shews us what a groundlesse delusion they please themselves withall that live in their unbeleef and impenitency and yet hope to bee saved by the Mercy of God In vain such do hope for the mercy of God yea there is none so desperately wicked living near the means but that upon this very ground they sleep securely in sin and commit it with greediness because God is so merciful Now to discover the grosseness of this deceit consider first that though God bee infinitely merciful yet his mercy alwaies goes together with his truth Psal 86.15 Hee is plenteous in Mercy and Truth i. e. as God hath abundance of mercy so hee is plenteous in truth his truth is in fulfilling both his promises and threatnings thou canst not expect mercy of