A47599:200
The marrow of true justification, or, Justification without works containing the substance of two…
The marrow of true justification, or, Justification without works containing the substance of two sermons lately preached on Rom. 4:5 ... : wherein the nature of justification is opened, as it hath been formerly asserted by all sound Protestants, and the present prevailing errors against the said doctrine detected / by Benjamin Keach ...
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1692
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Or the Fruit be good before the Tree is good? Are not all that are new Creatures in Christ Jesus, and have Union with him, 2 Cor. 5. 17.
12 Arg. With which I shall conclude the Proof of the Doctrine. (though I might mention many more, to prove all Works done by the Creature, or Obedience of his, are in this Case excluded, &c.) It is, because if a Man should so walk as to know nothing of himself, i.e. be so righteous, or so sincere in his Obedience, as not to have his Conscience to accuse, or reproach him; yet he cannot thereby be justified. See what Paul saith, Though I know nothing of my self, yet am I not thereby justified, 1 Cor. 4. 4. Though he had kept a Conscience void of Offence towards God, and towards Men; yet in the Point of Justification, he renounces all his own Obedience and Righteousness that was inherent in him. Durst holy Job depend upon his Sincerity, or venture in that, to stand at God's Tribunal? Though he could plead Uprightness against the false Charge of his three friends, and with much Confidence persevere therein, justifying his Sincerity with his Faith and Hope in God; against their Accusations, he showed his Faith •y his Works, and stands on his Justification of himself against Hypocrisy. But at length he is called into the immediate Presence of God, to plead his own Cause; not now as it was stated between himself and his Friends before, Whether he were sincere or not. The Question was now reduced to this, i. e. on that grounds he might, or could be justified in the sight of God; and God to ••epa•e him in this Case, and to show him what to plead at his Bar, graciously manifested himself unto him. And quickly now he comes to see all his former •leas, as Dr. Owen notes, of Faith, Hope, and sincere Obedience, would not avail ••m; but he is made to fly under the deepest Self-abasement and Abhorrency […] Sovereign Grace and Mercy; For then Job answered the Lord, and said, I m vie, what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth: Once […] I spoken, but I will not answer; yea twice, but I will proceed no further, Job […]. 3, 4, 5. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the Ear; but now mine Eye eth thee: Wherefore I abhor my self, and repent in Dust and Ashes. Dr. Owen.