N00347:235
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.
USE III. For everlasting consolation to all such as have truly laid hold upon the Righteousness of Christ by faith in him; for such as have fled form the Law to the Gospel, have utterly renounced themselves, and repaired to Jesus Christ; who having found themselves to be guilty condemned sinners, have betaken themselves unto, and harboured in Christ as a powerful and sufficient Saviour, and have reposed the whole trust and confidence of their souls in him; let all such happy souls rejoice, and be right glad, the Apostle tells us that there is strong consolation for such as have fled to this refuge, and cast anchor here; Heb. 6. 18, 19 and the Psalmist with a full mouth declares all such to be blessed ones, Psal. 32. 1, 2. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity: I might here expatiate in setting forth the great happiness of such men: but let me say in one word, they are in a most safe condition: if you have thus believed, you are then in Christ Jesus, and you shall be found in him, and being so, you are delivered from all grounded fear of evil, and have reason to expect to partake in all needful good: briefly, that you are every way as safe as can be desired, for
1. You are out of the danger of condemnation. Rom. 8.1. There is therefore no more condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. The Son of God in your nature, and standing in the place of a Surety for you, hath been arraigned, tried, condemned and slain, Justice hath done all to him which it had threatened you withal, so that you are now out of the danger of all the menaces of the Law, the accusations of Satan and whatever charge there may be brought in against you, Rom. 8. 33, 34. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods […] it is God that justifieth, who is he that […] it is Christ that died. Your condemnation is over, the punishment threatened you is past, and there now remains nothing but a glorious acquittance, and open declaration of the righteousness of your cause.