Of Justification.- THOSE
whom God effectually calleth he also freely justifieth; [1] not by
infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by
accounting and accepting their persons as righteous: not for anything
wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone: not by
imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical
obedience, to them as their righteousness; but by imputing the
obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them, [2] they receiving and
resting on him and his righteousness by faith: which faith they have
not of themselves, it is the gift of God. [3].
- Faith,
thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the
alone instrument of justification; [4] yet is it not alone in the
person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces,
and is no dead faith, but worketh by love. [5].
- Christ,
by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those
that are thus justified, and did make a proper, real, and full
satisfaction to his Father's justice in their behalf. [6] Yet, inasmuch
as he was given by the Father for them, [7] and his obedience and
satisfaction accepted in their stead, [8] and both freely, not for
anything in them, their justification is only of free grace; [9] that
both the exact justice and rich grace of God might be glorified in the
justification of sinners. [10].
- God
did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect; [11] and
Christ did, in the fullness of time, die for their sins, and rise again
for their justification; [12] Nevertheless they are not justified,
until the Holy Spirit doth in due time actually apply Christ unto them.
[13].
- God
doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified; [14] and
although they can never fall from the state of justification, [15] yet
they may by their sins fall under God's fatherly displeasure, and not
have the light of his countenance restored unto them, until they humble
themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and
repentance. [16].
- The
justification of believers under the Old Testament was, in all these
respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under
the New Testament. [17].
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