Of the imputation of Christ's righteousness to believers in what sense [sic] sound Protestants…

VI. The Augustan Confession, Art. 3, 4. Christ died — that he might reconcile the Father to us, and be a sacrifice, not only for original sin, but also for all the actual sins of men. — And that we may obtain these benefits of Christ, that is, Remission of sins, justification and life eternal, Christ gave us the Gospel in which these benefits are propounded. — To preach ⟨p. 38⟩Repentance in his Name, and Remission of sins among all Nations. For when men propagated in the natural manner have sin, and cannot truly satisfy Gods Law, the Gospel reproveth sin, and showeth us Christ the Mediator, and so teacheth us about Pardon of sins—That freely for Christ's sake are given us, Remission of sins, & Justification by Faith, by which we must confess that these are given us for Christ, who was made a Sacrifice for us, and appeased the Father. Though the Gospel require Penitence; yet that pardon of sin may be sure, it teacheth us that it is freely given us; that is, that it dependeth not on the Condition of our worthiness, nor is given for any precedent works, or worthiness of following works. — For Conscience in true fears findeth no work which it can oppose to the Wrath of God; and Christ is proposed and given us, to be a propitiator. This honour of Christ must not be transferred to our works. Therefore Paul saith, ye are saved freely, (or of Grace,) And it is of grace, that the promise might be sure; that is, Pardon will be sure; when we know that it dependeth not on the Condition of our worthiness, but is given for Christ. — In the Creed this Article, [I believe the Forgiveness of sins,] is added to the history: And the rest of the history of Christ must be referred to this Article: For this benefit is the end of the history, Christ therefore suffered and rose again, that for him might be given us Remission of sins, and life everlasting.

VI. The Augustane Confession, Art. 3, 4. Christ died — that he might reconcile the Father to us, and be a sacrifice, not only for original sin, but also for all the actual sins of men. — And that we may obtain these benefits of Christ, that is, Remission of sins, justification and life eternal, Christ gave us the Gospel in which these benefits are propounded. — To preach ⟨p. 38⟩Repentance in his Name, and Remission of sins among all Nations. For when men propagated in the natural manner have sin, and cannot truly satisfie Gods Law, the Gospel reproveth sin, and sheweth us Christ the Mediator, and so teacheth us about Pardon of sins—That freely for Christ's sake are given us, Remission of sins, & Justification by Faith, by which we must confess that these are given us for Christ, who was made a Sacrifice for us, and appeased the Father. Though the Gospel require Penitence; yet that pardon of sin may be sure, it teacheth us that it is freely given us; that is, that it dependeth not on the Condition of our worthyness, nor is given for any precedent works, or worthyness of following works. — For Conscience in true fears findeth no work which it can oppose to the Wrath of God; and Christ is proposed and given us, to be a propitiator. This honour of Christ must not be transferred to our works. Therefore Paul saith, ye are saved freely, (or of Grace,) And it is of grace, that the promise might be sure; that is, Pardon will be sure; when we know that it dependeth not on the Condition of our worthiness, but is given for Christ. — In the Creed this Article, [I believe the Forgiveness of sins,] is added to the history: And the rest of the history of Christ must be referred to this Article: For this benefit is the end of the history, Christ therefore suffered and rose again, that for him might be given us Remission of sins, and life everlasting.

Art. 6. When we are Reconciled by Faith, there must needs follow the Righteousness of good works. — But because the infirmity of mans nature is so great, that no man can satisfy the Law, it is necessary to teach men, not only that they must obey the Law, but also how this Obedience pleaseth, lest Consciences fall ⟨p. 39⟩into desperation, when they understand that they satisfy not the Law. This Obedience then pleaseth, not because it satisfieth the Law, but because the person is in Christ, reconciled by Faith, and believeth that the relicts of his Sin are pardoned. We must ever hold that we obtain remission of sins, and the person is pronounced Righteous, that is, is accepted freely for Christ, by Faith: And afterward that Obedience to the Law pleaseth, and is reputed a certain Righteousness, and meriteth rewards.] Thus the first Protestants.

Art. 6. When we are Reconciled by Faith, there must needs follow the Righteousness of good works. — But because the infirmity of mans nature is so great, that no man can satisfie the Law, it is necessary to teach men, not only that they must obey the Law, but also how this Obedience pleaseth, lest Consciences fall ⟨p. 39⟩into desperation, when they understand that they satisfie not the Law. This Obedience then pleaseth, not because it satisfieth the Law, but because the person is in Christ, reconciled by Faith, and believeth that the relicts of his Sin are pardoned. We must ever hold that we obtain remission of sins, and the person is pronounced Righteous, that is, is accepted freely for Christ, by Faith: And afterward that Obedience to the Law pleaseth, and is reputed a certain Righteousness, and meriteth rewards.] Thus the first Protestants.

VII. The 11th Article of the Church of England (to which we all offer to subscribe) is [Of the Justification of Man. We are accounted Righteous before God, only for the Merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith; and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore that we are justified by Faith only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of Comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification.]

VII. The 11th Article of the Church of England (to which we all offer to subscribe) is [Of the Justification of Man. We are accounted Righteous before God, only for the Merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith; and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore that we are justified by Faith only, is a most wholsome doctrine, and very full of Comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification.]

And pag. [A lively Faith is not only the common belief of the Articles of our Faith, but also a true trust and confidence of the mercy of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and a steadfast hope of all good things to be received at Gods hand; and that although we through ⟨p. 40⟩infirmity or temptation — do fall from him by sin, yet if we return again to him by true repentance, that he will forgive and forget our offences, for his Sons sake our Saviour Jesus Christ, and will make us inheritors with him of his everlasting Kingdom — Pag. 23. For the very sure and lively Christian Faith, is, to have an earnest trust and confidence in God, that he doth regard us, and is careful over us, as the Father is over the Child whom he doth love; and that he will be merciful unto us, for his only Sons sake; and that we have our Saviour Christ our perpetual Advocate and Prince, in whose only merits, oblation and suffering, we do trust that our offences be continually washed and purged, whensoever we repenting truly do return to him with our whole heart, steadfastly determining with our selves, through his grace to obey and serve him, in keeping his Commandments, &c.] So also the Apology. This is our doctrine of Imputation.

And pag. [A lively Faith is not only the common belief of the Articles of our Faith, but also a true trust and confidence of the mercy of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and a steadfast hope of all good things to be received at Gods hand; and that although we through ⟨p. 40⟩infirmity or temptation — do fall from him by sin, yet if we return again to him by true repentance, that he will forgive and forget our offences, for his Sons sake our Saviour Jesus Christ, and will make us inheritors with him of his everlasting Kingdom — Pag. 23. For the very sure and lively Christian Faith, is, to have an earnest trust and confidence in God, that he doth regard us, and is careful over us, as the Father is over the Child whom he doth love; and that he will be merciful unto us, for his only Sons sake; and that we have our Saviour Christ our perpetual Advocate and Prince, in whose only merits, oblation and suffering, we do trust that our offences be continually washed and purged, whensoever we repenting truely do return to him with our whole heart, steadfastly determining with our selves, through his grace to obey and serve him, in keeping his Commandments, &c.] So also the Apology. This is our doctrine of Imputation.

VIII. The Saxon Confession oft insisteth on the free Pardon of sin, not merited by us, but by Christ. And expoundeth Justification to be [Of unjust, that is, Guilty and disobedient, and not having Christ: to be made Just, that is, To be Absolved from Guilt for the Son of God, and an apprehender by Faith of Christ himself, who is our Righteousness; (as Jeremiah and Paul say) because by his Merit we have forgiveness, and God imputeth righteousness to us, and for him, reputeth us just, and by giving us his Spirit quickeneth and regenerateth us. — By being Justified by Faith alone we mean, that freely for our Mediator alone, not for our Contrition, or other Merits; the pardon of sin and reconciliation is given us. — And before, It is certain, when the mind is raised by this Faith, that the pardon of sin, Reconciliation and Imputation of Righteousness, ⟨p. 41⟩are given for the Merit of Christ himself — And after [By Faith is meant Affiance, resting in the Son of God the Propitiator, for whom we are received and please (God) and not for our virtues and fulfilling of the Law.

IX. The Wittenberg Confession, (In Corp. Conf. pag. 104) A man is made Accepted of God, and Reputed just before him, for the Son of God our Lord Jesus Christ alone, by Faith. And at the Judgment of God we must not trust to the Merit of any of the Virtues which we have, but to the sole Merit of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is made ours by Faith. And because at the bar of God, where the case of true eternal Righteousness and Salvation will be pleaded, there is no place for mans Merits, but only for God's Mercy, and the Merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom we receive by Faith: therefore we think our Ancestors said rightly, that we are justified before God by Faith only.

IX. The Wittenberge Confession, (In Corp. Conf. pag. 104) A man is made Accepted of God, and Reputed just before him, for the Son of God our Lord Jesus Christ alone, by Faith. And at the Judgment of God we must not trust to the Merit of any of the Virtues which we have, but to the sole Merit of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is made ours by Faith. And because at the bar of God, where the case of true eternal Righteousness and Salvation will be pleaded, there is no place for mans Merits, but only for God's Mercy, and the Merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom we receive by Faith: therefore we think our Ancestors said rightly, that we are justified before God by Faith only.

X. The Bohemian Confession, making Justification the principal Article, goeth the same way. [Pag. 183, 184. By Christ men are Justified, obtain Salvation and Remission of sin, freely by Faith in Christ, through mercy, without any Work and Merit of man. And his death and blood alone is sufficient, to abolish & expiate all the sins of all men. All must come to Christ for pardon and Remission of Sin, Salvation and every thing. All our trust and hope is to be fastened on him alone. Through him only and his merits God is appeased and propitious; Loveth us, and giveth us Life eternal.

X. The Bohemian Confession, making Justification the principal Article, goeth the same way. [Pag. 183, 184. By Christ men are Justified, obtain Salvation and Remission of sin, freely by Faith in Christ, through mercy, without any Work and Merit of man. And his death and blood alone is sufficient, to abolish & expiate all the sins of all men. All must come to Christ for pardon and Remission of Sin, Salvation and every thing. All our trust and hope is to be fastened on him alone. Through him only and his merits God is appeas'd and propitious; Loveth us, and giveth us Life eternal.

XI. The Palatinate Confession ib. pag. 149. [I believe that God the Father for the most full Satisfaction of Christ, doth never remember any of my sins, and that pravity which I must strive against while I live, but contrarily will rather of grace give me the righteousness ⟨p. 42⟩of Christ, so that I have no need to fear the judgment of God. — And pag. 155. If he merited, and obtained Remission of all our sins, by the only and bitter passion, and death of the Cross, so be it we embracing it by true Faith, as the satisfaction for our sins, apply it to our selves. —] I find no more of this.

XII. The Polonian Churches of Lutherans and Bohemians agreed in the Augustan and Bohemian Confession before recited.

XII. The Polonian Churches of Lutherans and Bohemians agreed in the Augustane and Bohemian Confession before recited.

XIII. The Helvetian Confession, [To Justify signifieth to the Apostle in the dispute of Justification, To Remit sins, to Absolve from the fault and punishment, to Receive into favour, and to Pronounce just — For Christ took on himself, and took away the sins of the World, and satisfied Gods Justice. God therefore for the sake of Christ alone, suffering and raised again, is propitious to our sins▪ and imputeth them not to us, but imputeth the righteousness of Christ for ours; so that now we are not only cleansed and purged from sins, or Holy, but also endowed with the Righteousness of Christ, and so absolved from sins, Death and Condemnation, and are righteous and heirs of life eternal. Speaking properly, God only justifieth us, and justifieth only for Christ, not imputing to us sins, but imputing to us his Righteousness.] This Confession speaketh in terms nearest the opposed opinion: But indeed saith no more than we all say; Christs Righteousness being given and imputed to us as the Meritorious Cause of our pardon and right to life.

XIII. The Helvetian Confession, [To Justifie signifieth to the Apostle in the dispute of Justification, To Remit sins, to Absolve from the fault and punishment, to Receive into favour, and to Pronounce just — For Christ took on himself, and took away the sins of the World, and satisfied Gods Justice. God therefore for the sake of Christ alone, suffering and raised again, is propitious to our sins▪ and imputeth them not to us, but imputeth the righteousness of Christ for ours; so that now we are not only cleansed and purged from sins, or Holy, but also endowed with the Righteousness of Christ, and so absolved from sins, Death and Condemnation, and are righteous and heirs of life eternal. Speaking properly, God only justifieth us, and justifieth only for Christ, not imputing to us sins, but imputing to us his Righteousness.] This Confession speaketh in terms neerest the opposed opinion: But indeed saith no more than we all say; Christs Righteousness being given and imputed to us as the Meritorious Cause of our pardon and right to life.

XIV. The Basil Confession, Art. 9. [We confess Remission of sins by Faith in Jesus Christ crucified. And though this Faith work continually by Love, yet Righteousness and Satisfaction for our Sins, we do not attribute to works, which are fruits of Faith; but only ⟨p. 43⟩to true affiance & faith in the blood shed of the Lamb of God. We ingenuously profess, that in Christ, who is our Righteousness, Holiness, Redemption, Way, Truth, Wisdom, Life, all things are freely given us. The works therefore of the faithful are done, not that they may satisfy for their sins, but only that by them, they may declare that they are thankful to God for so great benefits given us in Christ.

XIV. The Basil Confession, Art. 9. [We confess Remission of sins by Faith in Jesus Christ crucified. And though this Faith work continually by Love, yet Righteousness and Satisfaction for our Sins, we do not attribute to works, which are fruits of Faith; but only ⟨p. 43⟩to true affiance & faith in the blood shed of the Lamb of God. We ingenuously profess, that in Christ, who is our Righteousness, Holiness, Redemption, Way, Truth, Wisdom, Life, all things are freely given us. The works therefore of the faithful are done, not that they may satisfie for their sins, but only that by them, they may declare that they are thankful to God for so great benefits given us in Christ.

XV. The Argentine Confession of the four Cities, Cap. 3. ib. pag. 179. hath but this hereof: When heretofore they delivered, that a mans own proper Works are required to his Justification, we teach that this is to be acknowledged wholly received of God's benevolence and Christ's Merit, and perceived only by Faith. C. 4. We are sure that no man can be made Righteous or saved, unless he love God above all, and most studiously imitate him. We can no otherwise be Justified, that is, become both Righteous and Saved (for our Righteousness is our very Salvation) than if we being first endued with Faith, by which believing the Gospel, and persuaded that God hath adopted us as Sons, and will for ever give us his fatherly benevolence, we wholly depend on his beck (or will.)

XV. The Argentine Confession of the four Cities, Cap. 3. ib. pag. 179. hath but this hereof: When heretofore they delivered, that a mans own proper Works are required to his Justification, we teach that this is to be acknowledged wholly received of God's benevolence and Christ's Merit, and perceived only by Faith. C. 4. We are sure that no man can be made Righteous or saved, unless he love God above all, and most studiously imitate him. We can no otherwise be Justified, that is, become both Righteous and Saved (for our Righteousness is our very Salvation) than if we being first indued with Faith, by which believing the Gospel, and perswaded that God hath adopted us as Sons, and will for ever give us his fatherly benevolence, we wholly depend on his beck (or will.)

XVI. The Synod of Dort, mentioneth only Christs death for the pardon of sin and Justification. The Belgic Confession § 22. having mentioned Christ and his merits made ours, § 23. addeth, [We believe that our blessedness consisteth in Remission of our sins for Jesus Christ; and that our Righteousness before God is therein contained, as David and Paul teach; We are justified freely, or by Grace, through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus. We hold this Foundation firm, and give all the Glory to God—presuming nothing of our selves, and our merits, ⟨p. 44⟩but we rest on the sole Obedience of a Crucified Christ; which is ours when we believe in him.] Here you see in what sense they hold that Christs merits are ours; Not to justify us by the Law, that saith, (Obey perfectly and Live) but as the merit of our pardon, which they here take for their whole Righteousness.

XVI. The Synod of Dort, mentioneth only Christs death for the pardon of sin and Justification. The Belgick Confession § 22. having mentioned Christ and his merits made ours, § 23. addeth, [We believe that our blessedness consisteth in Remission of our sins for Jesus Christ; and that our Righteousness before God is therein contained, as David and Paul teach; We are justified freely, or by Grace, through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus. We hold this Foundation firm, and give all the Glory to God—presuming nothing of our selves, and our merits, ⟨p. 44⟩but we rest on the sole Obedience of a Crucified Christ; which is ours when we believe in him.] Here you see in what sence they hold that Christs merits are ours; Not to justifie us by the Law, that saith, (Obey perfectly and Live) but as the merit of our pardon, which they here take for their whole Righteousness.

XVII. The Scottish Confession, Corp. Conf. pag. 125. hath but [that true Believers receive in this life Remission of Sins, and that by Faith alone in Christs blood: So that though sin remain — yet it is not Imputed to us, but is remitted, and covered by Christs Righteousness.] This is plain and past all question.

XVIII. The French Confession is more plain, § 18. ib. pag. 81. [We believe that our whole Righteousness lieth in the pardon of our sins; which is also as David witnesseth our only blessedness. Therefore all other reasons by which men think to be justified before God, we plainly reject; and all opinion of Merit being cast away; we rest only in the Obedience of Christ, which is Imputed to us, both that all our sins may be covered, and that we may get Grace before God.] So that Imputation of Obedience, they think is but for pardon of sin, and acceptance.

XVIII. The French Confession is more plain, § 18. ib. pag. 81. [We believe that our whole Righteousness lyeth in the pardon of our sins; which is also as David witnesseth our only blessedness. Therefore all other reasons by which men think to be justified before God, we plainly reject; and all opinion of Merit being cast away; we rest only in the Obedience of Christ, which is Imputed to us, both that all our sins may be covered, and that we may get Grace before God.] So that Imputation of Obedience, they think is but for pardon of sin, and acceptance.