N29414:461
A short catechism familiarly teaching the knowledge of God, and of our selves. First…A short catechism familiarly teaching the knowledg of God, and of our selves. First…
A short catechism familiarly teaching the knowledge of God, and of our selves. First composed, and improved, for the private instruction of the younger sort in Cambridge in New-England. / By Thomas Shepard late faithful Pastor of the Church of Christ there. ; And now published at the earnest desire of sundry well-affected persons. ; Together with the doctrine of conviction of sin, and righteousness, and judgment. Delivered in divers sermons upon John 16. 8, 9, 10, 11. and thence summarily drawn into quest: and answers by the same author. ; [Three lines from Peter]A short catechism familiarly teaching the knowledg of God, and of our selves. First composed, and improved, for the private instruction of the younger sort in Cambridg in New-England. / By Thomas Shepard late faithfull Pastour of the Church of Christ there. ; And now published at the earnest desire of sundry well-affected persons. ; Together with the doctrine of conviction of sin, and righteousness, and judgment. Delivered in divers sermons upon John 16. 8, 9, 10, 11. and thence summarily drawn into quest: and answers by the same authour. ; [Three lines from Peter]
printed by Samuel Green, 1654
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.
Answ. No, for if the time of conviction of righteousness be before conviction of sin, then it is while a man is hardened in sin, and unbelief; but if the Spirit first convinces a man of sin because he believes not, (and consequently that he is under condemnation) then the Spirit never convinces a man of Christs Righteousness, (and consequently that he is freed from condemnation) before he believe. John. 3.18. And if the Corinthians were once wicked, (as the Apostle tells them) but now are justified, now are Sanctified, then they were not justified before, viz when they were wicked. 1 Cor. 6.9, 10.
Answ. No, for if the time of conviction of righteousness be before conviction of sin, then it is while a man is hardened in sin, and unbeliefe; but if the Spirit first convinces a man of sin because he believes not, (and consequently that he is under condemnation) then the Spirit never convinces a man of Christs Righteousness, (and consequently that he is freed from condemnation) before he believe. John. 3.18. And if the Corinthians were once wicked, (as the Apostle tells them) but now are justified, now are Sanctified, then they were not justified before, viz when they were wicked. 1 Cor. 6.9, 10.
Q. But were we not Justified in Christs Redemption?
Answ. Meritoriously we were, but not actually, the garment of Christs righteousness to justify us, was then made ready but it was not actually put on until we believe, and although the sins of the elect were then imputed to Christ, and laid upon him for satisfaction, yet not for actual justification; merited justification and Reconciliation is one thing, actual justification is another, Christ merited our justification, and his righteousness was the matter of our justification before we believe, but he purposed never to make it actually ours, unless we first believe.