Speculum theologiæ in Christo, or, A view of some divine truths which are either…

First, The Scripture must be the great Rule to judge of Justification by, there I find that we are justified by Christ's Blood, that we are made righteous by his Obedience; but that we are justified by a Pardon, I find not. There I read that Christ is made to us Righteousness, that we are made the Righteousness of God in him; but, not that an Immunity from punishment is a Righteousness. I know many Learned Divines take Justification and Pardon to be one and the same, but I shall consider the chief Scriptures which look that way; The first is Rom. 4. There the Imputation of Righteousness, Ver. 6. and the remission of sin, Vers. 7. and 8. seem to be the very same; the quotation of the 32. Psalm seems to make it clear to answer to this. I shall consider the scope of the Apostle: He doth in the third Chapter lay down this Conclusion, That we are justified by Faith, Ver. 28. and in the fourth Chapter he lays down this, That we are not justified by Works, Ver. 4. that is, perfect Works, such as Man may glory in, such as might make the reward of debt. Abraham himself could not reach such a Justification: this is proved by two things; the one is this, Abraham's Faith was counted to him for Righteousness, therefore he was not justified by Works: For Faith is not Works. The other is this, A justified Man is a pardoned one, therefore he is not justified by Works; ⟨p. 355⟩for perfect Obedience leaves no room at all for a Pardon. Touching the first, I shall first consider what was the object of Abraham's Faith, and then how Faith is counted for Righteousness: The primary object of Abraham's Faith was Christ; for the Apostle in the third Chapter speaks of the Faith of Christ; and in the fourth, where the same Discourse of Justification is continued, the object cannot in any reason be varied. Abraham is set forth as a great pattern of believing, and he can hardly be so to Christians, if his Faith had not for substance the same object with theirs. The Scripture fore-seeing that God would justify the Heathen through Faith, preached before the Gospel unto Abraham; saying, In thee shall all Nations be blessed, Gal. 3.8. That Abraham's Faith and ours might have the same object, God took care, that a Gospel,¹ a Blessing, Christ should be set before him: his Eyes were so far opened, that he could see Christ's day, and in a kind of Triumph of Faith, rejoice at it, 1 Joh. 8.56.