A brief discourse of justification. Wherein this doctrine is plainly laid down according to…

3. Now let us a little consider and enquire into the ground of the necessity of our having the righteousness of Christ for our justification; and there will need no more for the making of this manifest, but only the laying together of these few following Conclusions.

1. That Justice as well as Mercy must shine out in the pardoning of a sinner, and pronouncing ⟨p. 46⟩of him righteous. God must be righteous or else not be God: there can be no unrighteousness at all with him. It is one of his inseparable Attributes: the Psalmist therefore acquaints us that these two Attributes of God viz. his Justice and Mercy do in the great affair of Man's Salvation meet and consent most harmoniously Psal. 85. 10. Mercy and Truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other. As it is a truth that i• God be not merciful the sinner cannot be pardoned, fallen man must be made a monument of mercy, or he must be forever hopelessly miserable; it is no less true, that if God be not just, he cannot be the Judge of the whole World, for Justice is absolutely requisite in him who bears the place of a Judg Rom. 3. 5, 6. Is God unrighteous, who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) God forbids how then should God Judge the World? and he tells us, ver. 19. That all the World is become guilty before God. Had God only intended the display of his mercy to mankind, it had been another case; but since there is his righteousness that must be signally made known, it is therefore necessary that where guilt hath gone before, there revenging Justice must take place, and prepare the way for mercy to display it self.

1. That Justice as well as Mercy must shine out in the pardoning of a sinner, and pronouncing ⟨p. 46⟩