The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

1. Justification is such a work as is at once completed in all the causes, and the whole effect of it, though not as unto the full possession of all that it gives Right and Title unto. For (1) All our sins past, present, and to come, were at once imputed unto and laid upon Jesus Christ; in what sense, we shall afterwards enquire. He was wounded for our Transgressions, He was bruised for our Iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes are we healed. All we like Sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath made to meet on Him the Iniquities of us all, Isa. 53.6, 7. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the Tree, 1 Pet. 2.24. The Assertions being indefinite without exception or limitation, are equivalent unto Universals. All our sins were on him, he bare them All at once, and therefore once died for all. (2) He did therefore at once finish Transgression, made an End of sin, made Reconciliation for Iniquity, and brought in everlasting Righteousness, Dan. 9.24. At once he expiated all our sins; for by himself he purged our sins, and then sate down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Heb. 1.3. And we are sanctified or dedicated unto God through the offering of the Body of Christ once for all; for by one Offering he hath perfected (consummated, completed as unto their spiritual state) them that are sanctified, Heb. 10.10.14. He never will do more than he hath actually done already for the Expiation of ⟨p. 200⟩all our sins from first to last; for there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin. I do not say that hereupon our Justification is complete, but only that the meritorious procuring cause of it was at once completed, and is never to be renewed or repeated any more; All the enquiry is concerning the renewed Application of it unto our Souls and Consciences, whether that be by Faith alone, or by the works of Righteousness which we do. (3) By our actual Believing with Justifying Faith, believing on Christ, or his Name, we do receive him, and thereby on our first Justification become the Sons of God;