A53686:609
The Doctrine of Justification by Faith
The doctrine of justification by faith through the imputation of the righteousness of Christ, explained, confirmed, & vindicated by John Owen ...
London: printed for R. Boulter, 1677
Chapter 9: The formal cause of Justification; or, The Righteousness on the Account whereof Believe…
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.
2. If the Righteousness of Christ could be transfused into us, and be made inherently ours, yet could we not be, nor be said to be the Saviours of others thereby. For our nature in our individual persons, is not subjectum capax, or capable to receive and retain a Righteousness useful and effectual unto that end. This capacity was given unto it in Christ by virtue of the Hypostatical Union, and no otherwise. The Righteousness of Christ himself as performed in the Humane Nature, would not have been sufficient for the Justification and Salvation of the Church, had it not been the Righteousness of his Person, who is both God and Man; for God redeemed his Church with his own Blood.
2. If the Righteousness of Christ could be transfused into us, and be made inherently ours, yet could we not be, nor be said to be the Saviours of others thereby. For our nature in our individual persons, is not subjectum capax, or capable to receive and retain a Righteousness useful and effectual unto that end. This capacity was given unto it in Christ by virtue of the Hypostatical Ʋnion, and no otherwise. The Righteousness of Christ himself as performed in the Humane Nature, would not have been sufficient for the Justification and Salvation of the Church, had it not been the Righteousness of his Person, who is both God and Man; for God redeemed his Church with his own Blood.
3. This Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ unto us, as unto its ends and use, hath its measure from the Will of God, and his purpose in that Imputation. And this is, that it should be the Righteousness of them unto whom it is imputed, and nothing else.
4. We do not say that the Righteousness of Christ as made absolutely for the whole Church, is imputed unto every Believer. But his satisfaction for every one of them in particular, according unto the Will of God, is imputed unto them; not with respect unto its general ends, but according unto every ones particular Interest. Every Believer hath his own Homer of this Bread of Life; and all are justified by the same Righteousness.