A47599:219
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.
Know that God justifies the Ungodly; not by making them first inherently righteous, nor are they ungodly any more after justified: The Faith of the Operation of God will soon purify your Hearts, and cleanse your Lives; this Grace will teach you to deny all Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present evil World. We do not tell you, you must be holy, and then believe in Jesus Christ; but that you must believe in him, that you may be holy. You must first have Union with him, before you can bring forth Fruit to God; you must act from Life, and not for Life.
Know that God justifies the Vngodly; not by making them first inherently righteous, nor are they ungodly any more after justified: The Faith of the Operation of God will soon purifie your Hearts, and cleanse your Lives; this Grace will teach you to deny all Vngodliness and Worldly Lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present evil World. We do not tell you, you must be holy, and then believe in Jesus Christ; but that you must believe in him, that you may be holy. You must first have Union with him, before you can bring forth Fruit to God; you must act from Life, and not for Life.
Obj. But O 'tis hard thus to believe; to be ungodly, and yet to believe; to see no Holiness of our own, no divine Habits planted in us: Had we some degree of Sanctification, or Righteousness of our own, we could then believe.
Answ. Is not Christ able to save you, or is he not willing to save you, unless you are Co-workers and Co-partners with him in your Salvation? Or are you unwilling to be saved, unless you might share with him in the Glory of your Salvation? Is it hard for you to believe the highest Testimony and Witness that ever was born to any truth? Can't you believe the Report of the Gospel, or receive the Record God hath given of his Son? Is resting on Christ hard? Can't you beg for Bread rather than perish? Can't you drink when thirsty, when you are bid to do it freely?