I have shown that the Way in which Justification has a Dependence on Faith, is that it is the Qualification on which the Congruity of an Interest in the Righteousness of Christ depends, or wherein such a Fitness consists. But the Consideration of the Perseverance of Faith, can't be excluded out of this Congruity or Fitness, for it is congruous that he that believes in Christ should have an Interest in Christ's Righteousness, and so in the eternal Benefits purchased by it, because Faith is that by which the Soul hath Union or Oneness with Christ, and there is a natural Congruity in it, that they that are one with Christ, should have a joint Interest with him in his eternal Benefits; but yet this Congruity depends on its being an abiding Union. As it is needful that the Branch should abide in the Vine, in order to its receiving the lasting Benefits of the Root, so it is necessary that the Soul should abide in Christ, in order to its receiving those lasting Benefits of God's final Acceptance and Favour. John 15. 6, 7. If a Man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a Branch. If ye abide in me, and my Words abide you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Verses 9, 10. Continue ye in my Love: If ⟨p. 77⟩ye keep (or abide in) my Commandments, ye shall abide in my Love, even as I have kept my Father's Commandments, and abide in his Love. There is the same Reason why it is necessary that the Union with Christ should remain, as why it should be begun, why it should continue to be, as why it should once be: If it should be begun without remaining, the beginning would be in vain. In order to the Soul's being now in a justified State, and now free from Condemnation, 'tis necessary that it should now be in Christ, and not only that it should once have been in him. Rom. 8. 1. There is no Condemnation to them are in Christ Jesus. The Soul is saved in Christ, as being now in him, when the Salvation is bestowed, and not merely as remembering that it once was in him. Philip. 3 9. That I may be FOUND IN HIM, not having mine own Righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the Faith of Christ, the Righteousness which is of God by Faith. 1 John 2. 28. And now little Children abide in him; that when he shall appear, we may have Confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his Coming.
I have shown that the Way in which Justification has a Dependance on Faith, is that it is the Qualification on which the Congruity of an Interest in the Righteousness of Christ depends, or wherein such a Fitness consists. But the Consideration of the Perseverance of Faith, can't be excluded out of this Congruity or Fitness, for it is congruous that he that believes in Christ should have an Interest in Christ's Righteousness, and so in the eternal Benefits purchased by it, because Faith is that by which the Soul hath Union or Oneness with Christ, and there is a natural Congruity in it, that they that are one with Christ, should have a joint Interest with him in his eternal Benefits; but yet this Congruity depends on its being an abiding Union. As it is needful that the Branch should abide in the Vine, in order to its receiving the lasting Benefits of the Root, so it is necessary that the Soul should abide in Christ, in order to its receiving those lasting Benefits of God's final Acceptance and Favour. John 15. 6, 7. If a Man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a Branch. If ye abide in me, and my Words abide you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Verses 9, 10. Continue ye in my Love: If ⟨p. 77⟩ye keep (or abide in) my Commandments, ye shall abide in my Love, even as I have kept my Father's Commandments, and abide in his Love. There is the same Reason why it is necessary that the Union with Christ should remain, as why it should be begun, why it should continue to be, as why it should once be: If it should be begun without remaining, the beginning would be in vain. In order to the Soul's being now in a justified State, and now free from Condemnation, 'tis necessary that it should now be in Christ, and not only that it should once have been in him. Rom. 8. 1. There is no Condemnation to them are in Christ Jesus. The Soul is saved in Christ, as being now in him, when the Salvation is bestowed, and not meerly as remembring that it once was in him. Philip. 3 9. That I may be FOUND IN HIM, not having mine own Righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the Faith of Christ, the Righteousness which is of God by Faith. 1 John 2. 28. And now little Children abide in him; that when he shall appear, we may have Confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his Coming.
