A47599:216
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.
Brethren, This New Law it seems can give Life upon Obedience thereto, the first being taken away; but if by the Law, any Law, a Man might be justified, Christ is dead in vain: For as one Law, so all Laws of Works since Man hath sinned, utterly fail, and are unable to justify us in God's sight. For as some learned Men have observed, the Greek Word is not [the Law] but [a Law.] Let it be what Law or Rule of Righteousness it will, that requires perfect or imperfect Obedience, it will not do, Gal. 3. 11. For the just shall live by Faith: Justification and Life comes only that way, and not by Works of Obedience we have done.
Brethren, This New Law it seems can give Life upon Obedience thereto, the first being taken away; but if by the Law, any Law, a Man might be justified, Christ is dead in vain: For as one Law, so all Laws of Works since Man hath sinned, utterly fail, and are unable to justifie us in God's sight. For as some learned Men have observed, the Greek Word is not [the Law] but [a Law.] Let it be what Law or Rule of Righteousness it will, that requires perfect or imperfect Obedience, it will not do, Gal. 3. 11. For the just shall live by Faith: Justification and Life comes only that way, and not by Works of Obedience we have done.
And truly to talk of sincere Obedience, when performed by an unregenerate Person, 'tis strange Doctrine. Sincerity must only be looked for in him, who is renewed by the Grace of God: 'Tis as impossible for an unregenerate Person to perform sincere Obedience (if we speak of Gospel-Sincerity) as it is for a Believer to perform perfect Obedience to the Law of Works.
And truly to talk of sincere Obedience, when performed by an unregenerate Person, 'tis strange Doctrine. Sincerity must only be look'd for in him, who is renewed by the Grace of God: 'Tis as impossible for an unregenerate Person to perform sincere Obedience (if we speak of Gospel-Sincerity) as it is for a Believer to perform perfect Obedience to the Law of Works.