The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

Some vainly pretend from hence a general grant of righteousness and life unto all men, whereof the greatest part are never made partakers; then which nothing can be more opposite nor contradictory unto the Apostles design. Men are not made guilty of condemnation from the Sin of Adam, by such a Divine constitution, as that they may, or on some conditions may not be obnoxious thereunto, Every one so soon as he actually exists, and by virtue thereof is a descendant from the first Adam, is actually in his own person liable thereunto, and the wrath of God abideth on him. And no more are intended on the other side, but those only who by their relation through Faith unto the Lord Christ the second Adam, are actually interested in the Justification of life. Neither is the controversy about the universality of Redemption by the Death of Christ herein concerned. For those by whom it is asserted, do not affirm that it is thence necessary that the free gift unto the Justification of life, should come on all, for that they know it doth not do. And of a provision of Righteousness and life for men in case they do believe, although it be true, yet nothing is spoken in this place. Only the certain Justification of them that believe, and the way of it is declared. Nor will the Analogy of the Comparison here insisted on, admit of any such interpretation. For the all on the one hand, are all and only those who derive their being from Adam by natural propagation. If any man might be supposed not to do so, he would not be concerned in his Sin or Fall. And so really it was with the man Christ Jesus. And those on the other hand, are only those who derive a spiritual life from Christ. Suppose a man not to do so, and he is no way interested in the Righteousness of the one unto the Justification of life. Our Argument from the words is this; As the Sin of one that came on all unto condemnation, was the Sin of the first Adam imputed unto them, so the Righteousness of the one unto the Justification of life that ⟨p. 482⟩comes on all Believers, is the Righteousness of Christ imputed unto them. And what can be more clearly affirmed or more evidently confirmed than this is by the Apostle, I know not. Yet is it more plainly expressed, v. 19.

Some vainly pretend from hence a general grant of righteousness and life unto all men, whereof the greatest part are never made partakers; then which nothing can be more opposite nor contradictory unto the Apostles design. Men are not made guilty of condemnation from the Sin of Adam, by such a Divine constitution, as that they may, or on some conditions may not be obnoxious thereunto, Every one so soon as he actually exists, and by vertue thereof is a descendant from the first Adam, is actually in his own person liable thereunto, and the wrath of God abideth on him. And no more are intended on the other side, but those only who by their relation through Faith unto the Lord Christ the second Adam, are actually interessed in the Justification of life. Neither is the controversie about the universality of Redemption by the Death of Christ herein concerned. For those by whom it is asserted, do not affirm that it is thence necessary that the free gift unto the Justification of life, should come on all, for that they know it doth not do. And of a provision of Righteousness and life for men in case they do believe, although it be true, yet nothing is spoken in this place. Only the certain Justificatin of them that believe, and the way of it is declared. Nor will the Analogy of the Comparison here insisted on, admit of any such interpretation. For the all on the one hand, are all and only those who derive their being from Adam by natural propagation. If any man might be supposed not to do so, he would not be concerned in his Sin or Fall. And so really it was with the man Christ Jesus. And those on the other hand, are only those who derive a spiritual life from Christ. Suppose a man not to do so, and he is no way interessed in the Righteousness of the one unto the Justification of life. Our Argument from the words is this; As the Sin of one that came on all unto condemnation, was the Sin of the first Adam imputed unto them, so the Righteousness of the one unto the Justification of life that