The Reason the Psalmist gives why he will not put it unto the Trial whether he should be acquitted or justified upon his own obedience, is this general Axiom; for in thy sight, or before thee, shall no man living be justified. This must be spoken absolutely, or with respect unto some one way or cause of Justification. If it be spoken absolutely, then this work ceaseth for ever, and there is indeed no such thing as Justification before God. But this is contrary unto the whole Scripture, and destructive of the Gospel. Wherefore it is spoken with respect unto our own Obedience and works. He doth not pray absolutely that he would not enter into Judgment with him, for this were to forego his Government of the world, but that he would not do so on the account of his own Duties and Obedience. But if so be these Duties and Obedience did answer in any sense or way, what is required of us as a Righteousness unto Justification, there was no Reason why he should deprecate a Trial by them or upon them. But whereas the Holy Ghost doth so positively affirm, that no man living shall be justified in the sight of God, by or upon his own Works or Obedience, it is I confess marvellous unto me, that some should so interpret the Apostle James, as if he affirmed the express contrary. Namely, that we are justified in the sight of God by our own Works, whereas indeed he says no such thing. This therefore is an Eternal Rule of Truth, by, or upon his Obedience, no man living can be ⟨p. 322⟩justified in the sight of God. It will be said that if God enter into Judgment with any on their own Obedience by and according to the Law, then indeed none can be justified before him. But God judging according to the Gospel, and the terms of the new Covenant, men may be justified upon their own Duties, Works, and Obedience. Ans. (1) The negative Assertion is general, and unlimited; that no man living shall (on his own Works or Obedience) be justified in the sight of God. And to limit it unto this or that way of Judging, is not to distinguish but to contradict the Holy Ghost. (2) The Judgment intended is only with respect unto Justification, as is plain in the words. But there is no Judgment on our Works or Obedience, with respect unto Righteousness and Justification, but by the proper Rule and Measure of them, which is the Law.
The Reason the Psalmist gives why he will not put it unto the Trial whether he should be acquitted or justified upon his own obedience, is this general Axiom; for in thy sight, or before thee, shall no man living be justified. This must be spoken absolutely, or with respect unto some one way or cause of Justification. If it be spoken absolutely, then this work ceaseth for ever, and there is indeed no such thing as Justification before God. But this is contrary unto the whole Scripture, and destructive of the Gospel. Wherefore it is spoken with respect unto our own Obedience and works. He doth not pray absolutely that he would not enter into Judgment with him, for this were to forego his Government of the world, but that he would not do so on the account of his own Dutys and Obedience. But if so be these Dutys and Obedience did answer in any sense or way, what is required of us as a Righteousness unto Justification, there was no Reason why he should deprecate a Trial by them or upon them. But whereas the Holy Ghost doth so positively affirm, that no man living shall be justified in the sight of God, by or upon his own Works or Obedience, it is I confess marvellous unto me, that some should so intepret the Apostle James, as if he affirmed the express contrary. Namely, that we are justified in the sight of God by our own Works, whereas indeed he says no such thing. This therefore is an Eternal Rule of Truth, by, or upon his Obedience, no man living can be ⟨p. 322⟩justified in the sight of God. It will be said that if God enter into Judgment with any on their own Obedience by and according to the Law, then indeed none can be justified before him. But God judging according to the Gospel, and the terms of the new Covenant, men may be justified upon their own Duties, Works, and Obedience. Ans. (1) The negative Assertion is general, and unlimited; that no man living shall (on his own Works or Obedience) be justified in the sight of God. And to limit it unto this or that way of Judging, is not to distinguish but to contradict the Holy Ghost. (2) The Judgment intended is only with respect unto Justification, as is plain in the words. But there is no Judgment on our Works or Obedience, with respect unto Righteousness and Justification, but by the proper Rule and Measure of them, which is the Law.
