AND hitherto these things have been explained by us concerning the Righteousness of the Law, as it is considered out of Christ. Now let us again turn our eyes unto Christ, and consider, what his Righteousness without the Law worketh in us. And here first of all a wonderful and most manifest difference between the 1Law and Christ presents it self unto us. For seeing the Law, as hath been said, can give no Life according to the rigour of its Justice, but only to perfect Men: Therefore it comes to pass, that because it finds nothing perfect in us, it being hindered through the infirmity of our flesh, can give no help, nor work any thing in us but wrath: Therefore being repulsed by the Law, and destitute of the help of Works, let us seek another Patron 2of Salvation, whosoever he be, who may help us: But there is none who doubts, that He is no other but Christ the only Son of God; whom we all alike profess through all ⟨p. 28⟩Churches. There is therefore no Controversy remaining between us and our Adversaries concerning the Author of Salvation. Nevertheless there remains here another ambiguity or question, perhaps not yet cleared enough by all Divines. For whereas there is no man but confesses that Righteousness is in Christ in its highest perfection: And we have already heard from the Law, that there is no fellowship of Righteousness with Unrighteousness; 3here some difficulty comes in, how it comes to pass, that the Lord Christ, all whose Judgments are most just, can or ought against Righteousness favour those, who having forsaken their duty, have turned aside to Unrighteousness? For if the Law of God according to the nature of Righteousness, cannot avoid condemning of those that are guilty of wickedness, some perhaps may ask, What way Christ, who doth not any thing, but what is most righteous, can procure Salvation to those without the violation of his Righteousness, whom the Law of Righteousness justly condemns? Or if he do it, how, for what cause, and in what manner he does it, by Faith, or by Works? If by Faith, whether by Faith only, or by the 4help of Works joined with it; if upon the account of Works, whether before Works, or after Works, or in the very Works? But if by Faith only without Works, hence ariseth a threefold question; 1. What then do good ⟨p. 29⟩Works avail? 2. What Faith that is, and of what sort it is, which is said to justify? 3.
AND hitherto these things have been explained by us concerning the Righteousness of the Law, as it is considered out of Christ. Now let us again turn our eyes unto Christ, and consider, what his Righteousness without the Law worketh in us. And here first of all a wonderful and most manifest difference between the 1Law and Christ presents it self unto us. For seeing the Law, as hath been said, can give no Life according to the rigour of its Iustice, but only to perfect Men: Therefore it comes to pass, that because it finds nothing perfect in us, it being hindered through the infirmity of our flesh, can give no help, nor work any thing in us but wrath: Therefore being repulsed by the Law, and destitute of the help of Works, let us seek another Patron 2of Salvation, whosoever he be, who may help us: But there is none who doubts, that He is no other but Christ the only Son of God; whom we all alike profess through all ⟨p. 28⟩Churches. There is therefore no Controversie remaining between us and our Adversaries concerning the Author of Salvation. Nevertheless there remains here another ambiguity or question, perhaps not yet cleared enough by all Divines. For whereas there is no man but confesses that Righteousness is in Christ in its highest perfection: And we have already heard from the Law, that there is no fellowship of Righteousness with Unrighteousness; 3here some difficulty comes in, how it comes to pass, that the Lord Christ, all whose Iudgments are most just, can or ought against Righteousness favour those, who having forsaken their duty, have turned aside to Unrighteousness? For if the Law of God according to the nature of Righteousness, cannot avoid condemning of those that are guilty of wickedness, some perhaps may ask, What way Christ, who doth not any thing, but what is most righteous, can procure Salvation to those without the violation of his Righteousness, whom the Law of Righteousness justly condemns? Or if he do it, how, for what cause, and in what manner he does it, by Faith, or by Works? If by Faith, whether by Faith only, or by the 4help of Works joyned with it; if upon the account of Works, whether before Works, or after Works, or in the very Works? But if by Faith only without Works, hence ariseth a threefold question; 1. What then do good ⟨p. 29⟩Works avail? 2. What Faith that is, and of what sort it is, which is said to justifie? 3.
- 1The difference between the Law and Christ.
- 2Christ the only Antidote against the Stings of the Law.
- 3A question by what righteousness can Christ deliver the unrighteous.
- 4What way, and in what manner the benefits of Christ are derived to us.
