N00347:153
A brief discourse of justification. Wherein this doctrine is plainly laid down according to…
A brief discourse of justification. Wherein this doctrine is plainly laid down according to the Scriptures. : As it was delivered in several sermons on this subject. / By Samuel Willard, teacher of a church in Boston. ; [Ten lines of quotations]
Boston: printed by S for Samuel Phillips, 1686
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
A. That there are several sorts of Faith made mention of in the Scripture, is easily obvious unto such as are acquainted with it; but there is one sort only by which we are Justified; and I shall not here need to take notice of any other, nor enquire after any other, nor enquire after any other consideration of this Faith besides what is proper to it as it justifies; and accordingly it may be thus described: Justifying Faith is a particular receiving of Christ in the promise of special mercy, by a confidence of reliance of the Soul upon him, for all that good ⟨p. 82⟩which be hath purchased, and God hath promised.
In clearing up of this description we may observe these things.
1. That the next and immediate object of Justifying Faith is Jesus Christ. Faith that justifies closeth in with the person of Christ; not barely considered as he is the second person in the Trinity, but as he is God-man-Mediator. Justification is one piece of communion with Christ in his benefits; now our Union to him. Christ himself must be ours, if ever his Righteousness come to be ours; he is therefore called the Lord our Righteousness, Jer. 23. 6. and is said to be made Righteousness it self unto us, 1 Cor. 1. 30. which expressions refer to his person: so that when once we have gotten an interest in him, and are really entitled to him, we are then, and not till then, invested with a Righteousness which will clear us from all guilt, and declare us to be righteous; for in him it is that we are to have it,