A47601:160
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
Postscript: A POSTSCRIPT, containing a few Reflections upon some Passages in Mr. Clark's new Book,…
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.
He will not have it be the Righteousness of him that was God, or take it in that Sense; but that Righteousness that God hath ordained and instituted for our Justification, viz. our Faith and sincere Obedience.
Answ. We do not only say it was the Righteousness of him that was God as well as Man, but also that Righteousness which God hath found out, and approves of, as agreeing with his Holy Nature and infinite Justice, and Purity of his Law, That he might be just: not the essential Righteousness of God, but the Righteousness of Christ as Mediator, Who of God is made to us Wisdom and Righteousness, &c. Where pray hath God made our imperfect Righteousness a Righteousness to justify us at his Bar? I am persuaded this Man would not willingly be found in his own Righteousness at Death, let it be never so sincere. Ay, but we must take the Scripture in the plain literal Sense about Justification; this he much harps at, tho his Notion by thus doing brings in Justification by Works, which the Apostle shows is inconsistent, and directly contrary to Grace, Rom. 11.6. Works are Works, ⟨p. 44⟩whether Law-Works, or Gospel-Works. He argues much as the Papists in another case, and upon as grand a Point; Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock will I build my Church: I will appeal to all, whether the Words in the Letter do not seem to run smoother for the Papists, i.e. for the Church to be built upon Peter, than upon Christ that Peter confessed?1 And so this is my Body, &c. Mr. Clark cries out against puzzling perplexing Distinctions, and taking Faith Metonymically, i. e. for the Object of Faith, tho it is clearly implied, and that way only it beareth a true Analogy of Faith.
Answ. We do not only say it was the Righteousness of him that was God as well as Man, but also that Righteousness which God hath found out, and approves of, as agreeing with his Holy Nature and infinite Justice, and Purity of his Law, That he might be just: not the essential Righteousness of God, but the Righteousness of Christ as Mediator, Who of God is made to us Wisdom and Righteousness, &c. Where pray hath God made our imperfect Righteousness a Righteousness to justify us at his Bar? I am perswaded this Man would not willingly be found in his own Righteousness at Death, let it be never so sincere. Ay, but we must take the Scripture in the plain literal Sense about Justification; this he much harps at, tho his Notion by thus doing brings in Justification by Works, which the Apostle shews is inconsistent, and directly contrary to Grace,