A47601:104
A medium betwixt two extremes wherein it is proved that the whole first Adam…
A medium betwixt two extremes wherein it is proved that the whole first Adam was condemned and the whole second Adam justified : being a sermon lately preached on Rom. 8:1 and now published to prevent the further controversy (in one main point) about justification : to which are added reflections on some passages in Mr. Clark's new book called Scripture-Justification / by Benjamin Keach.
London: printed for Andrew Bell, 1698
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.
Obj.The Elect we say are not justified in their own Consciences, or have not the evidence of it until they believe. They were acquitted and justified before, but they did not know it.
Ans. This will not help, nor alter the case in the least; the purport of this is, i.e. my state was good, but I did not know it; I was alive, a Child of God and Justified, but did not know it, or had not the feeling or sensible comfort and evidence ⟨p. 28⟩of it in my own Soul; I had a personal Right and Title to the eternal Inheritance, but the Deeds and Evidence were not in my own sight.
Brethren, it is one thing to have a thing in my own actual Possession, and another thing to know I have it. I am not a speaking of what a sight God might have of Men, or how he sees, or how things are before him; before whom, or in whose sight the World was from eternity; but of things that actually be, or do actually exist, and take hold of Persons, &c. the Decree and Purpose of God without the execution of it, brings nothing actually to be or to exist: tho his Decree doth render the thing certain to be in time. I deny not that fundamental, and representative Justification of the Elect in Christ their Head, or as a common Person, which is before Faith, which lies in Christ making full Satisfaction for all their Sins, and meriting Faith for them.