A. Imputation of Christs righteousness is necessary for our justification. Christ teacheth us to desire a discharge of all debts. The Law requireth a debt of perfect righteousness. This we are not able to pay of our selves. But our Surety being able, did pay it.a He fulfilled all righteousness. By the imputation thereof to us, are we discharged.b For as by one mans disobed ence many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. His righteousness is upon us to justification of life. In this respect Christ is said to bec made unto us righteousness: and we are said to bed made the righteousness: of God in him. This kind of debt is not duly considered of them,5 who exclude the active obedience of Christ from our justification. They press those places which make mention only of the blood of Christ, forgetting the Synecdoche which is frequent in the Scripture, whereby one member or part is put for all of that kind. In particular they press this Petition, which placeth our justification in remission of sins, not conceiving that under debts here mentioned, all manner of debts are comprised: and under this word forgive, all manner of needful discharge. Where further they say, that Christs active righteousness: was necessary for himself, they do not duly consider the dignity of his person by virtue of the hypostatical union of his two natures: which dignity exempteth him from all necessity of obedience to the Law, in regard of himself.
A. Imputation of Christs righteousnesse is necessary for our instification. Christ teacheth vs to desire a discharge of all debts. The Law requireth a debt of perfect righteousnesse. This we are not able to pay of our selues. But our Suretie being able, did pay it.a He fulfilled all righteousnesse. By the imputation thereof to vs, are we discharged.b For as by one mans disobed ence many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. His righteousnesse is vpon vs to iustification of life. In this respect Christ is said to bec made vnto vs righteousnesse: and we are said to bed made the righteousnesse: of God in him. This kind of debt is not duly considered of them,5 who exclude the actiue obedience of Christ from our iustification. They presse those places which make mention onely of the bloud of Christ, forgetting the Synecdoche which is frequent in the Scripture, whereby one member or part is put for all of that kind. In particular they presse this Petition, which placeth our iustification in remission of sinnes, not conceiuing that vnder debts here mentioned, all manner of debts are comprised: and vnder this word forgiue, all manner of needfull discharge. Where further they say, that Christs actiue righteousnesse: was necessarie for himselfe, they do not duely consider the dignitie of his person by vertue of the hypostaticall vnion of his two natures: which dignitie exempteth him from all necessitie of obedience to the Law, in regard of himselfe.
- aMat 3. 15.
- bRom. 5. 18, 19
- c1. Cor. 1. 30.
- d2. Cor. 5. 21.
- 5Arg. against Christ active right. answ.Arg. against Christ actiue right. answ.
