The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

3. The change and mutation that was made in these Corinthians, so far as it was Physical in effects inherent, (as such there was) the Apostle expressly ascribes unto their washing and Sanctification; So that there is no need to suppose this change to be expressed by their being Justified. And in the real change asserted, that is, in the Renovation of our Natures, consists the true entire work and nature of our Sanctification. But whereas by reason of the vicious habits and practices mentioned, they were in a state of Condemnation, and such as had no right unto the Kingdom of Heaven, they were by their Justification changed and transferred out of that state into another, wherein they had peace with God, and right unto life Eternal.

3. The change and mutation that was made in these Corinthians, so far as it was Physical in effects inherent, (as such there was) the Apostle expresly ascribes unto their washing and Sanctification; So that there is no need to suppose this change to be expressed by their being Justified. And in the real change asserted, that is, in the Renovation of our Natures, consists the true entire work and nature of our Sanctification. But whereas by reason of the vitious habits and practices mentioned, they were in a state of Condemnation, and such as had no right unto the Kingdom of Heaven, they were by their Justification changed and transferred out of that state into another, wherein they had peace with God, and right unto life Eternal.

4. The third reason proceeds upon a mistake; namely, That to be justified, is only to be freed from the punishment due unto sin. For it compriseth both the Non-imputation of sin, and the Imputation of Righteousness, with the privilege of Adoption and right unto the Heavenly Inheritance, which are inseparable from it. And although it doth not appear ⟨p. 183⟩that the Apostle in the enumeration of these Privileges, did intend a process from the lesser unto the greater; nor is it safe for us to compare the unutterable effects of the Grace of God by Christ Jesus, such as Sanctification and Justification are, and to determine which is greatest, and which is least; yet following the conduct of the Scripture, and the due consideration of the things themselves, we may say that in this life we can be made partakers of no greater Mercy or Privilege, than what consists in our Justification. And the Reader may see from hence, how impossible it is to produce any one place wherein the words, Justification, and to justify, do signify a real internal Work and Physical operation; in that this learned man, a person of more then ordinary perspicuity, candour and judgment, designing to prove it, insisted on such instances, as give so little countenance unto what he pretended. He adds,