The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

CHAP. XII. The Imputation of the Obedience of Christ unto the Law, Declared and Vindicated.

From the foregoing General Argument, another doth issue in Particular, with respect unto the Imputation of the Active Obedience or Righteousness of Christ unto us, as an Essential part of that Righteousness whereon we are justified before God. And it is as followeth, If it were necessary that the Lord Christ, as our Surety, should undergo the penalty of the Law for us, or in our stead, because we have all sinned; then it was necessary also, that as our Surety he should yield obedience unto the preceptive part of the Law for us also: And if the Imputation of the former be needful for us unto our Justification before God, then is the Imputation of the latter also necessary unto the same End and Purpose. For why was it necessary, or why would God have it so, that the Lord Christ, as the Surety of the Covenant should undergo the curse and penalty of the Law, which we had incurred the guilt of, by sin, that we may be justified in his sight? Was it not, that the Glory and Honour of his Righteousness, as the Author of the Law, and the Supreme Governor of all Mankind, thereby might not be violated in the absolute impunity of the infringers of it: And if it were requisite unto the glory of God, that the penalty of the Law should be undergone for us, or suffered by our Surety in our stead, because we had sinned: Wherefore is it not as requisite unto the glory of God, that the preceptive part of the Law be complied withal for us, in as much as obedience thereunto is required of us? And as we are no more able of our selves to fulfil the Law, in a way of obedience, ⟨p. 362⟩then to undergo the penalty of it, so as that we may be justified thereby: So no Reason can be given, why God is not as much concerned in Honour and Glory, that the preceptive power and part of the Law be complied withal, by perfect Obedience, as that the Sanction of it be established by undergoing the penalty of it. Upon the same Grounds therefore, that the Lord Christs suffering the penalty of the Law for us, was necessary that we might be justified in the sight of God, and that the satisfaction he made thereby be imputed unto us, as we our selves had made satisfaction unto God, as Bellarmine speaks and grants: