The main principles of Christian religion in a 107 short articles or aphorisms, generally…

Expl. 33. This word [justification] doth signify, not only to make just or righteous, but also to make a man appear so; (yet not by infusing or working grace or righteousness in the Soul, for this is the meaning of that word sanctification), or it signifies the believing sinners being reputed or accounted righteous in the sight of God, in and through the righteousness of Christ imputed to the sinner, or accounted as his own; for as condemnation doth suppose a man guilty, because the just God doth not condemn men for nothing; so justification doth suppose a man discharged from guilt, and so not obnoxious to the penalty or curse of the Law; now because the sinner cannot expect to receive this discharge by virtue of his own personal righteousness, because all his righteousness is imperfect, or as a menstruous rag; therefore he must be found not having on his own righteousness for his justification, but the righteousness of Christ. But more particularly in this A. we have (1.) The principal Author, or prime efficient cause of justification, ⟨p. 62⟩and this is God; Who is he that condemneth? it is God that justifieth. God the Father, as accepting of what Christ has done for sinners; and God the Son, as procuring our discharge; and God the Holy Ghost, as applying the merits of Christ to us, and working faith in us, whereby we receive so great a benefit. (2.) The inward moving cause, free-grace; and not any foresight of faith or obedience in the sinner, to move him to it. (3.) The matter of justification, or in reference to what the sinner is justified; namely, the guilt of sin and curse of the Law. (4.) The manner, which consists in a legal discharge of the sinner from his former obligation to punishment, here called the pardon of his sins, and accepting of him as righteous. (5.) The meritorious cause, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to the believing sinner. (6.) The instrumental cause, or condition, sc. faith; for the sinner through the means of his faith, or upon the condition of his believing, is thus justified.

Expl. 33. This word [justification] doth signifie, not only to make just or righteous, but also to make a man appear so; (yet not by infusing or working grace or righteousness in the Soul, for this is the meaning of that word sanctification), or it signifies the believing sinners being reputed or accounted righteous in the sight of God, in and through the righteousness of Christ imputed to the sinner, or accounted as his own; for as condemnation doth suppose a man guilty, because the just God doth not condemn men for nothing; so justification doth suppose a man discharged from guilt, and so not obnoxious to the penalty or curse of the Law; now because the sinner cannot expect to receive this discharge by vertue of his own personal righteousness, because all his righteousness is imperfect, or as a menstrous rag; therefore he must be found not having on his own righteousness for his justification, but the righteousness of Christ. But more particularly in this A. we have (1.) The principal Author, or prime efficient cause of justification,