CHAP. XI.
Of Justification.
1. Those whom God Effectually calleth, he also freely
(a) justifieth, not by infusing Righteousness
into them, but by (b) pardoning their
sins, and by accounting, and accepting their Persons as (c)
Righteous; not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but for
Christ's sake alone, not by imputing faith it self, the act of beleiving,
or any other (d) evangelical obedience
to them, as their Righteousness; but by imputing Christs active obedience
unto the whole Law, and passive obedience in his death, for their whole
and sole Righteousnnss, they (e)
receiving, and resting on him, and his Righteousness, by Faith; which faith
they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God.
a Rom. 3.24. ch. 8.30.
2. Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ,
and his Righteousness, is the (f)
alone instrument of Justification: yet it is not alone in the person justified,
but is ever accompanied with all other saving Graces, and is no dead faith,
(g) but worketh by love.
f Rom. 3.28.
3. Christ by his obedience, and death, did fully
discharge the debt of all those that are justified; and did by the sacrifice
of himself, in the blood of his cross, undergoing in their stead, the penalty
due unto them: make a proper, real and full satisfaction (h)
to Gods justice in their behalf: yet in asmuch as he was given by
the Father for them, and his Obedience and Satisfaction accepted in their
stead, and both (i) freely, not for
any thing in them; their Justification is only of Free Grace, that both
the exact justice and rich Grace of God, might be (k)
glorified in the Justification of sinners.
h Heb. 10.14. 1 Pet. 1.18,19. Isa.
53.5,6.
4. God did from all eternity decreeto (l)
justifie all the Elect, and Christ did in the fulness of time die for their
sins, and rise (m) again for their
Justification; Nevertheless they are not justified personally, untill the
Holy Spirit, doth in due time (n)
actually apply Christ unto them.
l Gal. 3.8. 1 Pet. 1.2. 1 Tim. 2.6.
5. God doth continue to (o)
Forgive the sins of those that are justified, and although they can never
fall from the state of (p) justication;
yet they may by their sins fall under Gods (q)
Fatherly displeasure; and in that condition, they have not usually the
light of his Countenance restored unto them, untill they (r)
humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith,
and repentance.
o Mat. 6.12. 1 John 1.7.9.
6. The Justification of Believers under the Old
Testament was in all these respects, (s)
one and the same with the justification of Believers under the New Tement.
s Gal. 3.9. Rom. 4.22,23,24.
