Now the Gospel, to eradicate this disposition which is so natural and strong in fallen Man, is in nothing more clear and express, than in declaring that by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in Gods sight. The Apostle asserts without distinction,1 that by the Works of the Law Justification cannot be obtained: 2whether they proceed from the power of Nature, or the Grace of the Spirit. For he argues against the merit of Works to Justification, not against the principle from whence they proceed. And where he most affectionately declares his esteem of Christ,3 and his Righteousness, as the sole meritorious cause of his Justification, he expressly rejects his own Righteousness, which is of the Law. 4By his own Righteousness, he comprehends all the works of the renewed, as well as natural state, for they are performed ⟨p. 306⟩by Man, and are acts of Obedience to the Law, which commands perfect Love to God. These are withering leaves that cannot conceal our shame, when we appear before God in Judgment. Not but that good works are most pleasing to him, but not for this end, to expiate Sin. We must distinguish between their substance, and the quality that error giveth them. The opinion of merit changes their nature, and turns Gold into Dross. And if our real Righteousness, how exact soever, cannot absolve us from the least guilt, much less can the performance of some external actions, though specious in appearance, yet not commanded by God, and that have no moral value. All the Disciplines and Severities, whereby men think to make Satisfaction to the Law, are like a Crown of Straw, that dishonours the Head instead of adorning it. But that Righteousness which was acquired by the Meritorious Sufferings of Christ, and is embraced by Faith, is all sufficient for our Justification. This is as pure as Innocence, to all the effects of Pardon and Reconciliation; this alone secures us from the charge of the Law, and the challenge of Justice. Being clothed with this, we may enter Heaven, and converse with the pure society of Angels without blushing. The Saints who now reign in Glory, were not Men who lived in the perfection of Holiness here below, but Repenting, Believing Sinners, who are washed white in the Blood of the Lamb.
Now the Gospel, to eradicate this disposition which is so natural and strong in faln Man, is in nothing more clear and express, than in declaring that by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in Gods sight. The Apostle asserts without distinction,1 that by the Works of the Law Justification cannot be obtained: 2whether they proceed from the power of Nature, or the Grace of the Spirit. For he argues against the merit of Works to Justification, not against the principle from whence they proceed. And where he most affectionately declares his esteem of Christ,3 and his Righteousness, as the sole meritorious cause of his Justification, he expresly rejects his own Righteousness, which is of the Law. 4By his own Righteousness, he comprehends all the works of the renewed, as well as natural state, for they are performed ⟨p. 306⟩by Man, and are acts of Obedience to the Law, which commands perfect Love to God. These are withering leaves that cannot conceal our shame, when we appear before God in Judgment. Not but that good works are most pleasing to him, but not for this end, to expiate Sin. We must distinguish between their substance, and the quality that errour giveth them. The opinion of merit changes their nature, and turns Gold into Dross. And if our real Righteousness, how exact soever, cannot absolve us from the least guilt, much less can the performance of some external actions, though specious in appearance, yet not commanded by God, and that have no moral value. All the Disciplines and Severities, whereby men think to make Satisfaction to the Law, are like a Crown of Straw, that dishonours the Head instead of adorning it. But that Righteousness which was acquired by the Meritorious Sufferings of Christ, and is embraced by Faith, is alsufficient for our Justification. This is as pure as Innocence, to all the effects of Pardon and Reconciliation; this alone secures us from the charge of the Law, and the chalenge of Justice. Being clothed with this, we may enter Heaven, and converse with the pure society of Angels without blushing. The Saints who now reign in Glory, were not Men who lived in the perfection of Holiness here below, but Repenting, Believing Sinners, who are washed white in the Blood of the Lamb.
- 1Rom. 3.10.
- 2Gal. 3.11.
- 3Rom. 3.27.
- 4Phil. 3.9.
