Eighteen sermons preached in Oxford 1640 of conversion, unto God. Of redemption, & justification,…

Then for the second thing concerning that justification that is obtained by faith. I showed you that the word justification was derived from justice or righteousness; and as many ways as justice and righteousness may be taken, so many ways may justification be taken: Sometimes for justification of righteousness in a man, and sometimes it is opposed to condemnation; so its taken in Saint Paul, and it signifieth an acquittal; sometimes its opposed to hypocrisy and pollution in a mans soul; so it signifies sanctification, whereby God not only covers our sins past, but heals our natures. The first is perfect, but imputed; the second inherent, but imperfect. When the time cometh that God will finish his cure, he will then make a perfect cure; when final grace cometh, we shall not need to think of a Popish Purgatory. Death is the Lords refining pot; then there is not a jot of sin shall be left in a Christian. Now when God hath taken away our dross, then to think we shall be put in a refining fire; that an entire soul that hath no blot, that one that hath no spot, should be purged after final grace hath made him clear and whole, this is against reason and common sense. They might have learned better of their own Thomas; ⟨p. 428⟩all the fire in the world will never put away sin without the infusion of grace. This by the way concerning them.

Then for the second thing concerning that justification that is obtained by faith. I shew'd you that the word justification was derived from justice or righteousnesse; and as many wayes as justice and righteousnesse may be taken, so many wayes may justification be taken: Sometimes for justification of righteousnesse in a man, and sometimes it is opposed to condemnation; so its taken in Saint Paul, and it signifieth an acquital; sometimes its opposed to hypocrisie and pollution in a mans soul; so it signifies sanctification, whereby God not only covers our sinnes past, but heals our natures. The first is perfect, but imputed; the second inherent, but imperfect. When the time cometh that God will finish his cure, he will then make a perfect cure; when final grace cometh, we shall not need to think of a Popish Purgatory. Death is the Lords refining pot; then there is not a jot of sinne shall be left in a Christian. Now when God hath taken away our drosse, then to think we shall be put in a refining fire; that an intire soul that hath no blot, that one that hath no spot, should be purged after final grace hath made him clear and whole, this is against reason and common sense. They might have learned better of their own Thomas;