By all which, things being thus deduced and confirmed, it is easy to understand what should be judged of this your definition. For if there is no other Righteousness, but that which by your definition is placed in holy works, and a ⟨p. 96⟩perfect obedience to the Law of God: it thence follows, that either 1we are not tainted with any sins at all, or that we must necessarily confess that we are excluded from all possession of Righteousness. Both of which are false; for though Sin and Righteousness, in respect of one and the same thing, through a mutual Antithesis, whereby they are opposed one against another, cannot come together, yet nothing hinders, but we may be both Sinners, and also Righteous upon a different account. You will say, how can that be? If you know not, (my good Friend,) I will tell you, and in a word, that you may understand the more expeditiously. We are Sinners in our selves, we are Righteous in Christ. Hereunto belongs the Mystery of Christ the Son of God given to us by his Father, that he with all his works and benefits may become wholly ours, for our right, and for our advantage. So he is said by the 2Prophet to be born; so he is said to be given, not to himself, but to us: So he was Righteous, so he fulfilled the Law, so he died and rose again, that his life might be to us Righteousness, his death might be Redemption, and his Resurrection might be Life and Glory. Moreover, whatsoever is Christ's, yea, whatsoever Christ. is, is not so much his own as yours; O Osorius! as mine, 3and as it is all ours that by Faith are Jesus Christ's. Therefore our ⟨p. 97⟩Salvation consists of the Redemption purchased by another, and not of our works. For herein shines forth the more than stupendous mercy, and unspeakable Grace of a most tender hearted God, that he even dedicated his only begotten Son wholly to our advantage, that so whatsoever was performed by him, was performed not for his sake, but for ours; neither had it respect to him who had no private need, but it redounds as a public good to us all, 4because he sustains the public person of All before his Father. Wherefore if you desire to know, what is our Righteousness! Paul and Peter will show it to you much better than it was defined by you. For our Righteousness is Christ, our righteous Lord, through whose name, as 5many as believe in his name, receive Remission of sins.
By all which, things being thus deduced and confirmed, it is easie to understand what should be judged of this your definition. For if there is no other Righteousness, but that which by your definition is placed in holy works, and a ⟨p. 96⟩perfect obedience to the Law of God: it thence follows, that either 1we are not tainted with any sins at all, or that we must necessarily confess that we are excluded from all possession of Righteousness. Both of which are false; for though Sin and Righteousness, in respect of one and the same thing, through a mutual Antithesis, whereby they are opposed one against another, cannot come together, yet nothing hinders, but we may be both Sinners, and also Righteous upon a different account. You will say, how can that be? If you know not, (my good Friend,) I will tell you, and in a word, that you may understand the more expeditiously. We are Sinners in our selves, we are Righteous inChrist. Hereunto belongs the Mystery of Christ the Son of God given to us by his Father, that he with all his works and benefits may become wholly ours, for our right, and for our advantage. So he is said by the 2Prophet to be born; so he is said to be given, not to himself, but to us: So he was Righteous, so he fulfilled the Law, so he died and rose again, that his life might be to us Righteounsness, his death might be Redemption, and his Resurrection might be Life and Glory. Moreover, whatsoever is Christ's, yea, whatsoever Christ. is, is not so much his own as yours; O Osorius! as mine, 3and as it is all ours that by Faith are Iesus Christ's. Therefore our ⟨p. 97⟩Salvation consists of the Redemption purchas'd by another, and not of our works. For herein shines forth the more than stupendious mercy, and unspeakable Grace of a most tender hearted God, that he even dedicated his only begotten Son wholly to our advantage, that so whatsoever was performed by him, was performed not for his sake, but for ours; neither had it respect to him who had no private need, but it redounds as a publick good to us all, 4because he sustains the publick person of All before his Father. Wherefore if you desire to know, what is our Righteousness! Paul and Peter will shew it to you much better than it was defined by you. For our Righteousness is Christ, our righteous Lord, through whose name, as
- 1Nothing hinders us to be both Righteous and Sinners insa different account. Sinners in our selves. Righteous in Christ.
- 2Isaiah 9.
- 3Whole Christ is ours.
- 4Christ bears our public person before the Father.Christ bears our publick person before the Father.
- 5What is our Righteousness according to Paul.
