CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Hence thirdly, Even in respect of the effects and fruits of his Mediatory love, in some particulars all are alike. There is no difference between one and the other: As for instance, in Justification, all believers stand alike justified through the blood of Christ, all are accepted of, and beloved in Christ alike. This we truly maintain, when against Papists we affirm, That any poor, weak woman, yea one that hath been a grievous sinner, yet if believing in Christ, is equally justified with the Virgin Mary; and the ground is, because the reason of our Justification is without us in respect of Christ, not in our selves; so that as Christ is every where the same, thus must our Justification be every where the same. It's true, one is more justified then another extensively, but not intensively, that is, one hath more sin forgiven then another. Mary Magdalen had more forgiven her then the Virgin Mary, but intensively, as our Justification doth consist in Gods favour and acceptation, so they were both equal. Again, if we speak of the application of Christs righteousness, so indeed there is a great difference; for though Christs righteousness be the same, yet because some receive this with a stronger faith then others, and because the application of this righteousness is in us, not according to the latitude and worth that it is in Christ, but according to our necessity and indigency; Therefore we may say, Some partake of it more then another. Though Christs righteousness be in it self the same to all: Even ⟨p. 526⟩as the light of the Sun is the same to every Star, though one Star partaketh more of it, then another. This then must needs encourage every believer, for he hath the same Christ, the same righteousness to offer unto God for satisfaction as any Paul or Abraham, though the father of the faithful, had. If we were to come in our graces and duties to be accepted of, then we might truly say, I am not comparable to such worthies, I cannot speed so well, as those that have more eminency, but though I have not the same grace with Paul, yet I have the same Christ with Paul, the same righteousness he would be found in, the same also I desire to be found in. Thus our righteousness is alike in Christ.

Hence thirdly, Even in respect of the effects and fruits of his Mediatory love, in some particulars all are alike. There is no difference between one and the other: As for instance, in Justification, all beleevers stand alike justified through the blood of Christ, all are accepted of, and beloved in Christ alike. This we truly maintain, when against Papists we affirm, That any poor, weak woman, yea one that hath been a grievous sinner, yet if beleeving in Christ, is equally justified with the Virgin Mary; and the ground is, because the reason of our Justification is without us in respect of Christ, not in our selves; so that as Christ is every where the same, thus must our Justification be every where the same. It's true, one is more justified then another extensively, but not intensively, that is, one hath more sin forgiven then another. Mary Magdalen had more forgiven her then the Virgin Mary, but intensively, as our Justfication doth consist in Gods favour and acceptation, so they were both equal. Again, if we speak of the application of Christs righteousness, so indeed there is a great difference; for though Christs righteousnesse be the same, yet because some receive this with a stronger faith then others, and because the application of this righteousnesse is in us, not according to the latitude and worth that it is in Christ, but according to our necessity and indigency; Therefore we may say, Some partake of it more then another. Though Christs righteousnesse be in it self the same to all: Even