A47601:87
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.
Answ. No, by no means;1 tho I know some Learned Men, and sound in the Faith, seem to hint as if Faith was a condition of our Justification. But how that which God himself gives to us by his free and absolute Promises, can be a condition of the Covenant, or of our Justification, I see not: that which is part of the Covenant on God's part, can't be the Condition of it on our part. Also they call Faith the instrumental cause of Justification, which we must leave them to explain (they mean, I think, but as the Hand that applies a Plaster is a cause of the Cure.) We must say with a late learned Author, Faith is no qualifying Condition, nor any procuring Cause of our Justification; tho without Faith God declares no Man a justified Person.
Answ. No, by no means;1 tho I know some Learned Men, and sound in the Faith, seem to hint as if Faith was a condition of our Justification. But how that which God himself gives to us by his free and absolute Promises, can be a condition of the Covenant, or of our Justification, I see not: that which is part of the Covenant on God's part, can't be the Condition of it on our part. Also they call Faith the instrumental cause of Justification, which we must leave them to explain (they mean, I think, but as the Hand that applies a Plaister is a cause of the Cure.) We must say with a late learned Author, Faith is no qualifying Condition, nor any procuring Cause of our Justification; tho without Faith God declares no Man a justified Person.
- 1Faith no procuring cause or condition of Justification.
2. Faith doth not cause or render the Satisfaction of Christ any ways the more satisfactory unto God; for God was as much satisfied in Christ for his Elect before Faith as after, tho the Satisfaction, Merits and Righteousness of Christ, are not applied so as the Man is pronounced a justified Person until he is united to Christ by the Spirit, and so is helped to believe on him; Faith being the Hand that receives, or that apprehends Jesus Christ.