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Robert Barclay > Apology for the True
Christian Divinity > Proposition 7: Concerning Justification
THE SEVENTH PROPOSITION
Concerning Justification
As many as resist not this Light, but receive the same, it becomes in them a holy,
pure, and spiritual birth, bringing forth holiness, righteousness, purity, and all those other blessed
fruits, which are acceptable to God, by which holy birth, to wit, Jesus Christ formed within
us, and working his works in us, as we are sanctified, so are we justified in the sight of
God, according to the apostle's words: "But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:11).
Therefore it is not by our works wrought in our will, nor yet by good works, considered as of
themselves; but by Christ, who is both the gift and the giver, and the cause
producing the effects in us, who, as he hath reconciled us while we
were enemies, doth also in his wisdom save us, and justify us after this manner, as saith the same
apostle elsewhere, "According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration,
and the renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Tit. 3:5).
§I. The doctrine of justification comes well in order
after the discussing of the extent of Christ's death, and of the grace thereby communicated; some
of the sharpest contests concerning this having from thence their rise. Many are the disputes,
among those called Christians, concerning this point; and indeed, if all were truly minding that
which justifieth, there would be less noise about the notions of justification. I shall briefly review
this controversy, as it stands among others, and as I have often seriously observed it; then in short
state the controversy as to us, and open our sense and judgment of it; and lastly prove it (if the
Lord will) by some Scripture testimonies, and the certain experience of all, ever were truly
justified.
§II. That this doctrine of justification hath been
and is greatly vitiated in the church of Rome is not by us questioned, though our adversaries, who
for want of better arguments do often make lies their refuge, have not spared in this respect to
stigmatize us with Popery, but how untruly will hereafter appear. For to speak little of their
meritum ex condigno, which was no doubt a very common doctrine of the Romish church,
especially before Luther, though most of their modern writers, especially in their controversies
with Protestants, do partly deny it, partly qualify it, and seem to state the matter only as if they
were propagators and pleaders for good works by the others denied. Yet if we look to the effects
of this doctrine among them as they appear in the generality of their church members, not in
things disapproved but highly approved and commended by their father the Pope and all his
clients, as the most beneficial casualty of all his revenue, we shall find that Luther did not without
great ground oppose himself to them in this matter, and if he had not run himself into another
extreme (of which hereafter) his work would have stood the better. For in this, as in most other
things, he is more to be commended for what he pulled down of Babylon than for what he built of
his own. Whatever then the Papists may pretend, or even some good men
among them may have thought, experience showeth, and it is more than manifest by the universal
and approved practice of their people, that they place not their justification so much in works that
are truly and morally good, and in the being truly renewed and sanctified in the mind, as in such
things as are either nor good nor evil, or may truly be called evil, and can no otherways be
reckoned good than because the Pope pleases to call them so. So that if the matter be well sifted
it will be found that the greatest part of their justification depends upon the authority of his bulls
and not upon the power, virtue and grace of Christ revealed in the heart, and renewing of it. As
will appear, first, from their principle concerning their sacraments, which they say confer grace
ex opere operato. So that if a man partake but of them, he thereby obtains remission of
sin though he remain as he was; the virtue of the sacraments making up the want that is in the
man. So that this act of submission and faith to the laws of the church, and not any real inward
change, is that which justifieth him. As for example, if a man make use of the sacrament (as they
call it) of penance, so as to tell over his sins to a priest, though he have not true contrition, which
the Lord hath made absolutely necessary for penitent sinners, but only attrition, a figment of their
own; that is, if he be sorry he hath sinned not out of any love to God or his law which he hath
transgressed but for fear of punishment, yet doth the virtue of the sacrament (as they affirm)
procure to him remission of sins; so that being absolved by the priest he stands accepted and
justified in the sight of God. This man's justification then proceedeth not from his being truly
penitent and in any measure inwardly changed and renewed by the working of God's grace in his
heart, but merely from the authority of the priest and virtue of the sacrament, who hath
pronounced him absolved; so that his justification is from somewhat without him, and not within
him.
Secondly, this will yet more appear in the matter of indulgences, where remission of all
sins, not only past but for years to come, is annexed to the visiting such and such churches and
relics, saying such and such prayers; so that the person that so doth is presently cleared from the
guilt of his sin and justified and accepted in the sight of God. As for example: he that in the great Jubilee will go to Rome and present himself before the gate of Peter and
Paul and there receive the Pope's blessing; or he that will go a pilgrimage to James's sepulchre in
Spain, or to Mary of Loretto, is upon the performance of those things promised forgiveness of
sins. Now if we ask them the reason, how such things as are not morally good in themselves
come to have virtue, they have no other answer but "because of the church and Pope's
authority," who being the great treasurer of the magazine of Christ's merits lets them out
upon such and such conditions. Thus also the invention of saying Mass is made a chief instrument
of justification; for in it they pretend to offer Christ daily to the Father, a propitiatory sacrifice for
the sins of the living and the dead: so that a man, for money, can procure Christ thus to be offered
for him when he pleases, by which offering he is said to obtain remission of sins, and to stand
justified in the sight of God. From all which, and much more of this nature which might be
mentioned, it doth appear that the Papists place their justification not so much in any work of
holiness really brought forth in them, and real forsaking of iniquity, as in the mere performance of
some ceremonies and a blind belief which their teachers have begotten in them, that the church
and the Pope having the absolute dispensation of the merits of Christ, have power to make these
merits effectual for the remission of sins and justification of such as will perform these
ceremonies. This is the true and real method of justification taken by the generality of the church
of Rome, and highly commended by their public preachers, especially the monks, in their sermons
to the people, of which I myself have been an ear- and an eye-witness. However some of their
modern writers have laboured to qualify it in their controversies. This doctrine Luther and the
Protestants then had good room to deny and oppose; though many of them ran into another
extreme, so as to deny good works to be necessary to justification and to preach up not only
remission of sins but justification by faith alone, without all works, however good. So that men
do not obtain their justification according as they are inwardly sanctified and renewed, but are
justified merely by believing that Christ died for them; and so some may perfectly be justified
though they be lying in gross wickedness, as appears by the example of
David, who they say was fully and perfectly justified, while he was lying in the gross sins of
murder and adultery. As then the Protestants have sufficient ground to quarrel and confute the
Papists concerning those many abuses in the matter of justification, showing how the doctrine of
Christ is thereby vitiated and overturned and the Word of God made void by many and useless
traditions, the law of God neglected while foolish and needless ceremonies are prized and
followed, through a false opinion of being justified by the performance of them; and the merits
and sufferings of Christ (which is the only sacrifice appointed of God for remission of sins)
derogated from by the setting up of a daily sacrifice, never appointed by God, and chiefly
devised out of covetousness to get money by; so the Protestants, on the other hand, by not rightly
establishing and holding forth the doctrine of justification according as it is delivered in the Holy
Scriptures, have opened a door for the Papists to accuse them as if they were neglecters of good
works, enemies to mortification and holiness, such as esteem themselves justified while lying in
great sins: by which kind of accusations (for which too great ground hath been given out of the
writings of some rigid Protestants) the reformation hath been greatly defamed and hindered and
the souls of many ensnared. Whereas, who will narrowly look into the matter may observe these
debates to be more in specie than in genere, seeing both do upon the matter land in
one; and like two men in a circle, who, though they go sundry ways, yet meet at last in the same
centre.
For the Papists, they say they obtain remission of sins, and are justified by the merits of
Christ, as the same are applied unto them in the use of the sacraments of the church, and are
dispensed in the performance of such and such ceremonies, pilgrimages, prayers, and
performances, though there be not any inward renewing of the mind, nor knowing of Christ
inwardly formed; yet they are remitted and made righteous ex opere operato, because of
the power and authority accompanying the sacraments and the dispensers of them.
The Protestants say that they obtain remission of sins, and stand justified in the sight of
God by virtue of the merits and sufferings of Christ, not by infusing righteousness into them, but
by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as
righteous: they resting on him, and his righteousness by faith; which faith, the act of believing, is
not imputed unto them for righteousness.a
So the justification of neither here is placed in any inward renewing of the mind, or by
virtue of any spiritual birth or formation of Christ in them; but only by a bare application
of the death and sufferings of Christ outwardly performed for them: whereof the one lays hold on
a faith resting upon them, and hoping to be justified by them alone; the other by the saying of
some outward prayers and ceremonies, which they judge makes the death of Christ effectual unto
them. I except here (being unwilling to wrong any) what things have been said as to the necessity
of inward holiness, either by some modern Papists, or some modern Protestants, who insofar as
they have laboured after a midst betwixt these two extremes, have come near to the Truth, as by
some citations out of them, hereafter to be mentioned, will appear; though this doctrine hath not,
since the apostasy, so far as ever I could observe, been so distinctly and evidently held forth
according to the Scripture's testimony, as it hath pleased God to reveal it and preach it forth in
this day by the witnesses of his Truth whom he hath raised to that end; which doctrine, though it
be briefly held forth and comprehended in the thesis itself, yet I shall a little more fully explain the
state of the controversy as it stands betwixt us and those that now oppose us.
§III. First then, as by the explanation of the former
thesis appears, we renounce all natural power and ability in ourselves, in order to bring us out of
our lost and fallen condition and first nature; and confess that as of ourselves we are able to do
nothing that is good: so neither can we procure remission of sins or justification by any act of our
own so as to merit it or draw it as a debt from God due unto us, but we acknowledge all to be
of and from his love, which is the original and fundamental cause of our
acceptance.
Secondly, God manifested this love towards us in the sending of his
beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into the world, who gave himself for us an offering and a
sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour; and having made peace through the blood of his
cross, that he might reconcile us unto himself, and by the Eternal Spirit offered himself without
spot unto God, and suffered for our sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us unto
God.
Thirdly then, forasmuch as all men who have come to man's estate (the man Jesus only
excepted) have sinned, therefore all have need of this Saviour, to remove the wrath of God from
them, due to their offences; in this respect, he is truly said to have "borne the iniquities of us
all in his body on the tree," and therefore is the only Mediator, having qualified the wrath of
God towards us; so that our former sins stand not in our way, being by virtue of his most
satisfactory sacrifice, removed and pardoned. Neither do we think that remission of sins is to be
expected, sought, or obtained any other way, or by any works or sacrifice whatsoever (though, as
has been said formerly, they may come to partake of this remission that are ignorant of the
history). So then Christ by his death and sufferings hath reconciled us to God, even while we are
enemies, that is, he offers reconciliation unto us, we are put into a capacity of being reconciled,
God is willing to forgive us our iniquities and to accept us, as is well expressed by the apostle (2
Cor. 5:19): "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their
trespasses unto them, and hath put in us the word of reconciliation." And therefore the
apostle, in the next verses, entreats them "in Christ's stead to be reconciled to God";
intimating, that the wrath of God being removed by the obedience of Christ Jesus, he is willing to
be reconciled unto them, and ready to remit the sins that are past, if they repent.
We consider then our redemption in a two-fold respect or state, both which in their own
nature are perfect though in their application to us the one is not, nor cannot be, without respect
to the other.
The first is the redemption performed and accomplished by Christ for us in his
crucified body without us. The other is the redemption wrought by Christ in us, which no
less properly is called and accounted a redemption than the former. The first then is that whereby man, as he stands in the fall, is put into a capacity of
salvation, and hath conveyed unto him a measure of that power, virtue, spirit, life, and grace that
was in Christ Jesus: which, as the free gift of God, is able to counterbalance, overcome, and root
out the evil seed wherewith we are naturally as in the fall, leavened.
The second is that whereby we witness and know this pure and perfect redemption
in ourselves, purifying, cleansing, and redeeming us from the power of corruption, and
bringing us into unity, favour, and friendship with God.
By the first of these two, we, that were lost in Adam, plunged into the bitter and corrupt
seed, unable, of ourselves, to do any good thing, but naturally joined and united to evil, forward
and propense to all iniquity, servants and slaves to the power and spirit of darkness, are,
notwithstanding all this, so far reconciled to God by the death of his Son, while enemies, that we
are put into a capacity of salvation, having the glad tidings of the Gospel of peace offered unto us,
and God is reconciled unto us in Christ, calls and invites us to himself, in which respect, we
understand these scriptures: "He slew the enmity in himself."b "He loved us first,"c "seeing us in our blood, he
said unto us, Live";d "he who
did not sin his own self, bare our sins in his own body on the tree";e and "he died for our sins,
the just for the unjust."f
By the second, we witness this capacity brought into act, whereby receiving and not
resisting the purchase of his death, to wit, the Light, Spirit, and Grace of Christ revealed to us,1 we witness and possess a real true and
inward redemption from the power and prevalency of sin, and so come to be truly and really
redeemed, justified, and made righteous, and to a sensible union and friendship with God. Thus
he died "for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity";g and thus "we know
him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made
conformable to his death."h This last
follows the first in order, and is a consequence of it, proceeding from it, as
an effect from its cause. So as none could have enjoyed the last, without the first had been (such
being the will of God); so also can none now partake of the first, but as he witnesseth the last.
Wherefore as to us, they are both causes of our justification; the first the procuring
efficient, the other the formal cause.
Fourthly, we understand not by this justification by Christ, barely the good works, even as
wrought by the Spirit of Christ; for they, as Protestants truly affirm, are rather an effect of
justification, than the cause of it. But we understand the formation of Christ in us,
Christ born and brought forth in us, from which good works as naturally proceed as fruit
from a fruitful tree. It is this inward birth in us, bringing forth righteousness and holiness in us,
that doth justify us, which, having removed and done away the contrary nature and spirit, that
did bear rule and bring condemnation, now is in dominion over all, in our hearts. Those then, that
come to know Christ thus formed in them, do enjoy him wholly and undivided, who is "the
lord our righteousness," (Jer. 23:6). This is to be clothed with Christ, and to have put
him on, whom God therefore truly accounteth righteous and just. This is so far from being the
doctrine of Papists, that, as the generality of them do not understand it, so the learned among
them oppose it, and dispute against it, and particularly Bellarmine. Thus then, as I may say, the
formal cause of justification is not the works, to speak properly, they being but an effect of it; but
this inward birth, this Jesus brought forth in the heart, who is the well-beloved, whom the Father
cannot but accept, and all those who thus are sprinkled with the blood of Jesus,
and washed with it. By this also comes that communication of the goods of Christ unto us,
"by which we come to be made partakers of the divine nature," as saith Peter (2 Pet.
1:4), and are made one with him, as the branches with the vine, and have a title and right to what
he hath done and suffered for us. So that his obedience becomes ours, his righteousness ours, his
death and sufferings ours. And by this nearness we come to have a sense of his sufferings, and to
suffer with his seed, that yet lies pressed and crucified in the hearts of the ungodly, and so travail
with it, and for its redemption, and for the repentance of those souls, that in it are crucifying as yet the "Lord of Glory." Even as the apostle Paul,
who by his sufferings is said to "fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ for his
body, which is the church." Though this be a mystery sealed up from all the wise men, that
are yet ignorant of this seed in themselves, and oppose it, nevertheless some Protestants
speak of this justification by Christ inwardly put on, as shall hereafter be recited in its place.
Lastly, though we place remission of sins in the righteousness and obedience of Christ
performed by him in the flesh, as to what pertains to the remote procuring cause, and that we hold
ourselves formally justified by Christ Jesus formed and brought forth in us; yet can we not (as
some Protestants have unwarily done) exclude works from justification: for, though properly we
be not justified for them, yet are we justified in them; and they are necessary, even
as causa sine qua non, i.e., the cause without which none are justified. For the denying of
this, as it is contrary to the Scripture's testimony, so it hath brought a great scandal to the
Protestant religion, opened the mouths of Papists, and made many too secure, while they have
believed to be justified without good works. Moreover, though it be not so safe to say they are
meritorious, yet, seeing they are rewarded, many of those called the Fathers have not spared to
use the word "merit," which some of us have perhaps also done, in a qualified sense,
but no ways to infer the Popish abuses above mentioned. And lastly, if we had that notion of
good works which most Protestants have, we could freely agree to make them not only not
necessary, but reject them as hurtful, viz.: that the best works, even of the saints, are defiled and
polluted. For though we judge so of the best works performed by man endeavouring a
conformity to the outward law, by his own strength, and in his own will, yet we believe that such
works as naturally proceed from this spiritual birth, and formation of Christ in us, are pure and
holy, even as the root from which they come, and therefore God accepts them, justifies us in
them, and rewards us for them, of his own free grace. The state of the controversy
being thus laid down, these following positions do from hence arise in the next place to be
proved.
§IV. First, that the obedience, sufferings, and death of
Christ is that by which the soul obtains remission of sins, and is the
procuring cause of that grace by whose inward workings Christ comes to be formed inwardly, and
the soul to be made conformable unto him, and so just and justified. And that therefore, in
respect of this capacity and offer of grace, God is said to be "reconciled," not as if he
were actually reconciled, or did actually justify, or account any just, so long as they remain in their
sins really impure and unjust.
Secondly, that it is by this inward birth of Christ in man that man is made just, and
therefore so accounted by God, wherefore to be plain, we are thereby, and not till that be brought
forth in us formally (if we must use that word) justified in the sight of God:
because justification is, both more properly and frequently in Scripture, taken in its proper
signification, for making one just, and not reputing one merely such, and is all one with
sanctification.
Thirdly, that since good works as naturally follow from this birth as heat from fire,
therefore are they of absolute necessity to justification, as causa sine qua non, i.e.
though not as the cause for which, yet as that in which we are, and without which we cannot be,
justified. And though they be not meritorious, and draw no debt upon God, yet he cannot but
accept and reward them, for it is contrary to his nature to deny his own: since they may be perfect
in their kind, as proceeding from a pure holy birth and root. Wherefore their judgment is false,
and against the Truth, that say that the holiest works of the saints are defiled and sinful in the sight
of God: for these good works are not the works of the law excluded by the apostle from
justification.
§V. As to the first, I prove it from Rom. 3:25:
"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his
righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." Here
the apostle holds forth the extent and efficacy of Christ's death, showing that thereby, and by faith
therein, remission of sins that are past is obtained: as being that, wherein the forbearance of God
is exercised towards mankind. So that though men, for the sins they daily commit, deserve eternal
death, and that the wrath of God should lay hold upon them; yet, by virtue of that most
satisfactory sacrifice of Christ Jesus, the grace and seed of God moves in love towards them during the day of their visitation: yet not so as not to strike
against the evil, for that must be burnt up and destroyed, but to redeem man out of the evil.
Secondly, if God were perfectly reconciled with men, and did esteem them just, while they
are actually unjust and do continue in their sins, then should God have no controversy with them;i how comes he then so often to
complain, and to expostulate so much, throughout the whole Scripture, with such as our
adversaries confess to be justified, telling them "that their sins separate betwixt him and
them?" (Isa. 59:2). For where there is a perfect and full reconciliation, there there is no
separation. Yea, from this doctrine it necessarily follows, either that such for whom Christ died,
and whom he hath thus reconciled, never sin, or that, when they so do, they are still reconciled,
and their sins make not the least separation from God, yea, that they are justified in their sins.
From whence also would follow this abominable consequence, that the good works and greatest
sins of such are alike in the sight of God, seeing neither the one serves to justify them, nor the
other to break their reconciliation, which occasions great security, and opens a door to every lewd
practice.
Thirdly, this would make void the whole practical doctrine of the Gospel, and make faith
itself needless; for if faith and repentance, and the other conditions called for throughout the
Gospel, be a qualification upon our part necessary to be performed, then before this be performed
by us, we are either fully reconciled to God, or but in a capacity of being reconciled to God, he
being ready to reconcile and justify us as these conditions are performed: which latter, if granted,
is according to the Truth we profess; and if we are already perfectly reconciled and justified,
before these conditions are performed (which conditions are of that nature
that they cannot be performed at one time, but are to be done all one's lifetime), then can they not
be said to be absolutely needful; which is contrary to the very express testimony of Scripture,
which is acknowledged by all Christians: "For without faith it is impossible to please God."j "They that believe not are
condemned already, because they believe not in the only begotten Son of God."k "Except ye repent, ye
cannot be saved":l for "if ye live
after the flesh, ye shall die."m And
of those that were converted, "I will remove your candlestick from you, unless ye repent."n Should I mention all the
Scriptures that positively and evidently prove this, I might transcribe much of all the doctrinal part
of the Bible. For since Christ said, "It is finished," and did finish his work sixteen
hundred years ago and upwards, if he so fully perfected redemption then, and did then actually
reconcile everyone that is to be saved, not simply opening a door of mercy for them, offering the
sacrifice of his body, by which they may obtain remission of their sins, when they repent, and
communicating unto them a measure of his grace, by which they may see their sins, and be able to
repent; but really make them to be reputed as just, either before they believe (as say the
Antinomians) or after they have assented to the truth of the history of Christ, or are sprinkled with
the baptism of water, while nevertheless they are actually unjust, so that no part of their
redemption is to be wrought by him now, as to their reconciliation and justification; then the
whole doctrinal part of the Bible is useless and of no profit; in vain were the apostles sent forth to
preach repentance and remission of sins, and in vain do all the preachers bestow their labour,
spend their lungs, and give forth writings; yea much more in vain do the people spend their
money, which they give them for preaching, seeing it is all but actum agere, but a vain and
ineffectual essay, to do that which is already perfectly done without them.
But lastly, To pretermit2 their
human labours, as not worth the disputing, whether they be needful or not,
since (as we shall hereafter show) themselves confess the best of them is sinful; this also makes
void the present intercession of Christ for men. What shall become of that great article of faith,
by which we affirm, "That he sits at the right hand of God daily making intercession for us,
and for which end the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered?" For Christ maketh not intercession for those that are not in a possibility of
salvation; that is absurd.
Our adversaries will not admit that he prayed for the world at all. And to pray for those
that are already reconciled, and perfectly justified, is to no purpose: to pray for remission of sins is
yet more needless, if all be remitted, past, present, and to come. Indeed there is not any solid
solving of this, but by acknowledging, according to the Truth, that Christ by his death removed
the wrath of God, so far as to obtain remission of sins for as many as receive that Grace
and Light, that he communicates unto them, & hath purchased for them by his
blood: which as they believe in, they come to know remission of sins past, and power to
save them from sin, and to wipe it away, so often as they may fall into it by unwatchfulness or
weakness, if, applying themselves to this grace, they truly repent: for "to as many as receive
him, he gives power to become the sons of God." So none are sons, none are justified,
none reconciled, until they thus receive him in that little Seed in their hearts. And life eternal is
offered to those, "who by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, honor, and
immortality." For, "if the righteous man depart from his righteousness, his
righteousness shall be remembered no more"; and therefore on the other part, none are
longer sons of God, and justified, than they patiently continue in righteousness and welldoing.
And therefore Christ lives always making intercession, during the day of every man's visitation,
that they may be converted: and when men are in some measure converted, he makes intercession
that they may continue, and go on, and not faint, nor go back again. Much more might be said to
confirm this truth; but I go on to take notice of the common objections against it, which are the
arguments made use of to propagate the errors contrary to it.
§VI. The first and chief is drawn
from that saying of the apostle before mentioned (2 Cor. 5:18-19), "God hath reconciled us
to himself by Jesus Christ: God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing
their trespasses unto them."
Obj. From hence they seek to infer that Christ fully perfected the work of
reconciliation while he was on earth.
Answ. I answer: If by "reconciliation" be understood the removing of
wrath, and the purchase of that Grace by which we may come to be reconciled, we agree to it; but
that that place speaks no more, appears from the place itself; for when the apostle speaks in the
perfect time, saying, "He hath reconciled us," he speaks of himself and the
saints, who, having received the Grace of God purchased by Christ, were through faith in him
actually reconciled. But as to the world, he saith "reconciling" not
"reconciled"; which reconciling, though it denotes a time somewhat past, yet it is by
the imperfect time, denoting that the thing begun was not perfected. For this work Christ
began towards all, in the days of his flesh, yea and long before: for he was the mediator
from the beginning, and the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." But in
his flesh, after he had perfectly "fulfilled the law," and the "righteousness
thereof," and "rent the veil," and made way for the more clear and universal
revelation of the Gospel to all, both Jew and Gentile, he "gave up himself a most
satisfactory sacrifice for sin," which becomes effectual to as many as receive him in his
inward appearance, in his Light in the heart. Again, this very place showeth that no other
reconciliation is intended but the opening of a door of mercy, upon God's part, and a removing of
wrath for sins that are past, so as men, notwithstanding their sins, are stated in a capacity of
salvation. For the apostle, in the following verse, saith, "Now then we are ambassadors for
Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to
God." For if their reconciliation had already been perfectly accomplished, what need any
entreating then to be reconciled? Ambassadors are not sent, after a peace already perfected, and
reconciliation made, to entreat for a reconciliation; for that implies a manifest contradiction.
Secondly, they object (v. 21 of the same chapter), "For he hath made him to be sin
for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in
him."
Obj. From whence they argue, that as our sin is imputed to Christ, who had no
sin; so Christ's righteousness is imputed to us, without our being righteous.
Answ. But this interpretation is easily rejected; for though "Christ bare our
sins," and "suffered for us," and was among men "accounted a
sinner," and "numbered among transgressors"; yet that God reputed him a
sinner is nowhere proved. For it is said, "He was found before him holy, harmless, and
undefiled, neither was there found any guile in his mouth."o That we deserved these things, and much more for our sins,
which he endured in obedience to the Father, and according to his counsel, is true; but that ever
God reputed him a sinner, is denied. Neither did he ever die that we should be reputed
righteous, though no more really such than he was a sinner (as hereafter appears). For indeed, if
this argument hold, it might be stretched that length as to become very pleasing to wicked men
that love to abide in their sins: for if we be made righteous, as Christ was made a sinner, merely by
imputation; then as there was no sin, not in the least, in Christ, so it would follow that there
needed no more righteousness, no more holiness, no more inward sanctification in us, than there
was sin in him. So then, by his "being made sin for us" must be understood his
suffering for our sins, that we might be made partakers of the grace purchased by him, by the
workings whereof we are made the righteousness of God in him. For, that the apostle understood
here a being made really righteous, and not merely a being imputed such, appears by what
follows, seeing in verses 14-16 of the following chapter he argues largely against any supposed
agreement of light and darkness, righteousness and unrighteousness; which must needs be
admitted, if men are to be reckoned engrafted in Christ, and real members of him, merely by an
imputative righteousness, wholly without them, while they themselves are actually unrighteous.
And indeed it may be thought strange, how some men have made this so fundamental an article of
their faith, which is so contrary to the whole strain of the Gospel. A thing
Christ in none of all his sermons and gracious speeches ever willed any to rely upon; always
recommending to us works, as instrumental in our justification; and the more it is to be
admired at, because that that sentence or term (so frequently in their mouths and so often pressed
by them, as the very basis of their hope and confidence), to wit, "the imputed righteousness
of Christ," is not to be found in all the Bible, at least as to my observation. Thus have I
passed through the first part, and that the more briefly, because many who assert this justification
by bare imputation, do nevertheless confess that even the elect are not justified until they be
converted; that is, not until this imputative justification be applied to them by the Spirit.
§VII. I come then to the second thing proposed by me,
which is, that it is by this inward birth, or Christ formed within, that we are, so to speak, formally
justified in the sight of God. I suppose I have said enough already to demonstrate how much we
ascribe to the death and sufferings of Christ, as that whereby satisfaction is made to the justice of
God, remission of sins obtained, and this Grace and Seed purchased, by and from which this birth
proceeds. The thing now to be proved is, that by Christ Jesus formed in us we are justified, or
made just. Let it be marked, I use "justification" in this sense upon this occasion.
First then I prove this by that of the apostle Paul (1 Cor. 6:11), "And such were
some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord
Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." First, this
"justified" here understood, must needs be a being made really just, and not a
being merely imputed such; else "sanctified" and "washed" might be
reputed a being esteemed so, and not a being really so; and then it overturns the whole intent of
the context. For the apostle showing them in the preceding verses, how the "unrighteous
cannot inherit the kingdom of God," and descending to the several species of wickedness,
subsumes, that they were sometimes such, but now are not any more such. Wherefore, as
they are now washed and sanctified, so are they justified: for if this justification were not real,
then it might be alleged that the Corinthians had not forsaken these evils, but, were, though still
they continued in them, notwithstanding justified. Which, as in itself, it is
most absurd, so it very luculently3
overturneth the very import and intent of the place; as if the Corinthians turning Christians had
not wrought any real change in them, but had only been a belief of some barren notions,
which had wrought no alteration in their affections, will, or manner of life. For my own part, I
neither see anything, nor could ever yet hear or read anything, that with any color of reason did
evince "justified" in this place to be understood any other ways than in its own proper
and genuine interpretation of being made just. And for the more clear understanding
hereof let it be considered, that this word "justify" is derived either from the
substantive "justice," or the adjective "just." Both which words import
the substantive, that true and real virtue in the soul, as it is in itself, to wit, it signifies
really, and not suppositively, that excellent quality expressed and understood among men by the
word "justice": and the adjective "just" as applied signifies a man or
woman who is just, that is, in whom this quality of justice is stated, for it would not only
be great impropriety, but also manifest falsity, to call a man just merely by supposition, especially
if he were really unjust. Now this word "justify" formed or from
"justice," or "just," doth beyond all question signify a making just, it
being nothing else but a composition of the verb facio, and the adjective justus,
which is nothing else than thus, justifico, i.e., justum facio, I make just; and
justified of justus and fio, as justus fio, I become just, and
justificatus, i.e., justus factus, I am made just. Thus also is it with verbs of this
kind, as sanctifico, from sanctus, holy, and facio; honorifico, from
honor and facio; sacrifico, from sacer and facio: all which
are still understood of the subject really and truly endued with that virtue and quality from which
the verb is derived. Therefore, as none are said to be sanctified that are really unholy, while they
are such; so neither can any be truly said to be justified, while they actually remain unjust. Only
this verb "justify" hath, in a metaphorical and figurative sense, been otherwise taken,
to wit, in a law sense; as when a man really guilty of a crime is freed from the punishment of his
sin, he is said to be justified; that is, put in the place, as if he were just. For
this use of the word hath proceeded from that true supposition, that none ought to be acquitted
but the innocent. Hence also that manner of speaking, "I will justify such a man," or
"I will justify this or that," is used from the supposition that the person and thing is
really justifiable. And where there is an error and abuse in the matter, so far there is also in the
expression.
This is so manifest and apparent that Pareus, a chief Protestant and a Calvinist also in his
opinion, acknowledges this: "We never at any time said" (saith he) "nor thought
that the righteousness of Christ was imputed to us that by him we should be named formally just,
and4 be so, as we have divers times already
showed; for that would no less soundly fight with right reason than if a guilty man absolved in
judgment should say that he himself was formally just by the clemency of the judge granting him
his life."p Now is it not strange that
men should be so facile in a matter of so great concernment as to build the stress of their
acceptance with God upon a mere borrowed and metaphorical signification, to the excluding or at
least esteeming that not necessary, without which the Scripture saith expressly "No man
shall ever see God?" For if holiness be requisite and necessary, of which this is said, then
must good works also; unless our adversaries can show us a holy man without good works. But
moreover "justified" in this figurative sense is used for "approved"; and
indeed for the most part, if not always in Scripture, when the word "justify" is used, it
is taken in the worst part, that is, that as the use of the word, that way, is a usurpation, so it is
spoken of such as usurp the thing to themselves, while it properly doth not belong unto them, as
will appear to those that will be at the pains to examine these places: Exod. 23:7; Job 9:20, and
27:5; Prov. 17:15; Isa. 5:23; Jer. 3:11; Ezek. 16:51-52; Luke 10:29, and 16:15, which are all
spoken of men "justifying the wicked," or of "wicked men justifying
themselves"; that is, approving themselves in their wickedness. If it be at any time in this signification taken in good part, it is very seldom comparatively,5 and that so obvious and plain
by the context as leaves no scruple. But the question is not so much of the use of the word,
where it is passingly or occasionally used, as where the very doctrine of justification is
handled. Where indeed to mistake it, viz., in its proper place, so as to content ourselves with an
imaginary justification, while God requires a real, is of most dangerous
consequence, for the disquisition of which, let it be considered, that in all these places to the
Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, and elsewhere, where the apostle handles this theme, the word
may be taken in its own proper signification, without any absurdity: as, where it is often asserted
in the above mentioned epistles to the Romans and Galatians, that "a man cannot be
justified by the law of Moses, nor by the works of the law"; there is no absurdity nor danger
in understanding it, according to its own proper signification, to wit, that a man cannot be
made just by the law of Moses, seeing this so well agrees with that saying of the same
apostle, That "the law makes nothing perfect." And also where it is said, "We
are justified by faith," it may be very well understood of being made just, seeing it is
also said that "faith purifies the heart"; and no doubt the pure in heart are just; and
"the just live by faith." Again, where it is said, "We are justified by
grace," "We are justified by Christ," "We are justified by the
Spirit"; it is no ways absurd to understand it of being made just, seeing by his Spirit
and Grace he doth make men just. But to understand it universally the other way, merely for
acceptance and imputation, would infer great absurdities, as may be proved at
large, but because I judged it would be acknowledged, I forbear at present, for brevity's sake. But
further, in the most weighty places, where this word "justify" is used in Scripture,
with an immediate relation to the doctrine of justification, our adversaries must needs
acknowledge it to be understood of making just, and not barely in the legal acceptation; as
first, in that of 1 Cor. 6:11, "But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are
justified," as I before have proved; which also many Protestants are forced to acknowledge.
"Neither diffide we," saith Thysius, "because of the most
great and strict connection, that justification doth sometimes seem also to comprehend
sanctification as a consequence, as in Rom. 8:30; Tit. 3:7; 1 Cor. 6:11, "And such
sometimes were ye, but ye are washed," &c.q Zanchi having spoken concerning this sense of justification, adds,
saying: "There is another signification of the word, viz: for a man from unjust to be made
just, even as sanctified signifies from unholy to be made holy. In which signification the apostle
said (in the place above cited) 'And such were some of you,' &c., that is, of unclean ye are
made holy, and of unjust ye are made just by the Holy Spirit, for Christ's sake, in whom ye have
believed. Of this signification is that (Rev. 22:11), "Let him that is just, be just still";
that is, really from just become more just, even as from unjust he became just. And according to
this signification the Fathers, and especially Augustine, have interpreted this word."r Thus far he. H. Bullinger, on
the same place (1 Cor. 6), speaketh thus: "By divers words" (saith he) "the
apostle signifies the same thing when he saith, Ye are washed, ye are sanctified, ye are
justified."
Secondly, in that excellent saying of the apostle, so much observed (Rom. 8:30),
"Whom he called, them he also justified, and whom he justified, them he also
glorified": this is commonly called the "golden chain," as being acknowledged
to comprehend the method and order of salvation. And therefore, if "justified" were
not understood here in its proper signification, of being made just, sanctification would be
excluded out of this chain. And truly it is very worthy of observation, that the apostle, in this
succinct and compendious account, makes the word "justified" to comprehend all
betwixt calling and glorifying; thereby clearly insinuating that the being really righteous is
that only medium by which from our calling we pass to glorification. All for the most part do
acknowledge the word to be so taken in this place, and not only so, but most of those who
oppose are forced to acknowledge that as this is the most proper, so the most common
signification of it: thus divers famous Protestants do acknowledge.
"We are not," saith D. Chamierus,s "such impertinent esteemers of words, as to be ignorant, nor yet
such importunate sophists, as to deny that the words 'justification' and 'sanctification' do infer one
another; yea, we know that the saints are chiefly for this reason so called, because that in Christ
they have received remission of sins: and we read in the Revelation, 'Let him that is just, be just
still,' which cannot be understood, except of the fruit of inherent righteousness. Nor do we deny,
but perhaps in other places they may be promiscuously taken, especially by the Fathers. "I
take," saith Beza,t "the name of
justification largely, so as it comprehends whatsoever we acquire from Christ, as well by
imputation, as by the efficacy of the Spirit in sanctifying us. So likewise is the word 'justification'
taken (Rom. 8:30)." Melancthon saith,u "That to be justified by faith, signifies in Scripture not only to be
pronounced just, but also of unrighteous to be made righteous." Also some chief
Protestants, though not so clearly, yet in part, hinted at our doctrine, whereby we ascribe unto the
death of Christ remission of sins, and the work of justification unto the grace of the Spirit
acquired by his death. Martin Borrhaus, explaining that place of the apostle (Rom. 4:25):
"Who was given for our sins, and rose again for our justification," saith: "There
are two things beheld in Christ, which are necessary to our justification; the one is his death, the
other is his arising from the dead. By his death, the sins of this world behoved to be expiated. By
his rising from the dead, it pleased the same goodness of God to give the Holy Spirit, whereby
both the Gospel is believed, and the righteousness, lost by the fault of the first Adam, is restored."v And afterwards he saith,
"The apostle expresseth both parts in these words, who was given for our sins, &c. In
his death is beheld the satisfaction for sin; in his resurrection, the gift of the Holy Spirit, by which
our justification is perfected."w
And again, the same man saith elsewhere: "Both these kinds of
righteousness are therefore contained in justification, neither can the one be separate from the
other. So that in the definition of justification, the merit of the blood of Christ is included, both
with the remission of sins, and with the gift of the Holy Spirit of justification and
regeneration." Martin Bucer saith:x
"Seeing, by one sin of Adam the world was lost, the grace of Christ hath not only abolished
that one sin, and death which came by it but hath together taken away those infinite sins, and also
led into full justification as many as are of Christ; so that God now not only remits unto them
Adam's sin, and their own, but also gives them therewith the Spirit of a solid and perfect
righteousness, which renders us conformed unto the image of the first begotten." And upon
these words, "by Jesus Christ" he saith: "We always judge that the whole
benefit of Christ tends to this, that we might be strong through the gift of righteousness, being
rightly and orderly adorned with all virtue, that is, restored to the image of God." And
lastly, William Forbes, our countryman, bishop of Edinburgh, saith,y "Whensoever the Scripture makes mention of the justification
before God, as speaketh Paul, and from him, besides others, Augustine, it appears that the word
'justify' necessarily signifies not only to pronounce just, in a law sense, but also really and
inherently to make just, because that God doth other ways justify a wicked man, than earthly
judges. For he, when he justifies a wicked or unjust man, doth indeed pronounce him as these
also do; but by pronouncing him just, because his judgment is according to Truth, he also makes
him really of unjust to become just." And again, the same man, upon the same occasion,
answering the more rigid Protestants, who say that God first justifies and then makes just, he
adds, "But let them have a care, lest by too great and empty subtilty, unknown both to the
Scriptures and the Fathers, they lessen and diminish the weight and dignity of so great and divine
a benefit, so much celebrated in the Scripture, to wit, justification of the wicked. For if, to the
formal reason of justification of the ungodly doth not at all belong his
justification (so to speak), i.e., his being made righteous, then in the justification of a sinner,
although he be justified, yet the stain of sin is not taken away, but remains the same in his soul, as
before justification. And so, notwithstanding the benefit of justification, he remains, as before,
unjust and a sinner, and nothing is taken away but the guilt and obligation to pain, and the offence
and enmity of God through nonimputation. But both the Scriptures and Fathers do affirm, that in
the justification of a sinner, their sins are not only remitted, forgiven, covered, not imputed, but
also taken away, blotted out, cleansed, washed, purged, and very far removed from us, as appears
from many places of the holy Scriptures." The same Forbes shows us at length, in the
following chapter, that this was the confessed judgment of the Fathers, out of the writings of
those who hold the contrary opinion, some whereof, out of him, I shall note. As first, Calvin saith:z "That the judgment of Augustine,
or at least his manner of speaking, is not throughout to be received; who although he took from
man all praise of righteousness, and ascribed all to the grace of God, yet he refers grace to
sanctification, by which we are regenerate through the Spirit unto newness of life."
Chemnitz saith:aa "That they do
not deny, but that the Fathers take the word 'justify' for renewing, by which works of
righteousness are wrought in us by the Spirit." And (p. 130): "I am not ignorant, that
the Fathers indeed often use the word 'justify' in this signification, to wit, of making just."
Zanchi saith,bb "That the Fathers,
and chiefly Augustine, interpret the word 'justify' according to this signification, to wit, of making
just; so that, according to them, to be justified was no other than of unjust to be made just,
through the grace of God for Christ." He mentioneth more, but this may suffice to our
purpose.
§VIII. Having thus sufficiently
proved, that by "justification" is to be understood a really being made
righteous, I do boldly affirm, and that not only from a notional knowledge, but from a real,
inward experimental feeling of the thing, that the immediate, nearest, or
formal cause (if we must, in condescendence to some, use this word) of a man's justification in the
sight of God, is the revelation of Jesus Christ in the soul, changing, altering, and renewing
the mind, by whom (even the Author of this inward work) thus formed and revealed, we are truly
justified and accepted in the sight of God. For it is as we are thus covered and clothed with him,
in whom the Father is always well pleased, that we may draw near to God, and stand with
confidence before his throne, being purged by the blood of Jesus inwardly poured into our souls,
and clothed with his life and righteousness therein revealed. And this is that order and method of
salvation held forth by the apostle in that divine saying (Rom. 5:10): "For if, when we were
enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we
shall be saved by his life." For the apostle first holding forth the reconciliation wrought by
the death of Christ, wherein God is near to receive and redeem man, holds forth his salvation and
justification to be by the life of Jesus. Now that this life is an inward spiritual thing
revealed in the soul whereby it is renewed and brought forth out of death, where it
naturally has been by the fall; and so quickened and made alive unto God. The same apostle
shows (Eph. 2:5): "Even when we were dead in sins and trespasses he hath quickened us
together with Christ (by whose grace ye are saved) and hath raised us up together." Now,
this none will deny to be the inward work of renovation, and therefore the apostle gives that
reason of their being saved by grace, which is the inward virtue and power of Christ in the
soul: but of this place more hereafter. Of the revelation of this inward life the apostle also
speaketh (2 Cor. 4:10): "That the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our
body"; and (v. 11): "That the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal
flesh." Now this inward life of Jesus is that whereby, as is before observed, he said,
"we are saved."
Secondly, That it is by this revelation of Jesus Christ, and the new creation in us, that we
are justified, doth evidently appear from that excellent saying of the apostle included in the
proposition itself (Tit. 3:5): "According to his mercy he hath saved us, by the washing of
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost," &c. Now that
whereby we are saved, that we are also no doubt justified by, which words are in this respect
synonymous. Here the apostle clearly ascribes the immediate cause of justification to this inward
work of regeneration, which is Jesus Christ revealed in the soul, as being that which
formally states us in a capacity of being reconciled with God; the washing of regeneration being
that inward power and virtue whereby the soul is cleansed and clothed with the righteousness of
Christ, so as to be made fit to appear before God.
Thirdly, this doctrine is manifest from 2 Cor. 13:5: "Examine your own selves
whether ye be in the faith, prove your own selves: know ye not your own selves how that Jesus
Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" First, it appears here how earnest the apostle
was that they should know Christ in them, so that he presses this exhortation upon them
and inculcates it three times. Secondly, he makes the cause of reprobation, or not-justification,
the want of Christ thus revealed and known in the soul: whereby it necessarily follows by the rule
of contraries, where the parity is alike (as in this case it is evident), that where Christ is inwardly
known there the persons subjected to him are approved and justified. For there can be nothing
more plain than this, that if we must know Christ in us, except we be reprobates, or unjustified
persons; that if we do know him in us we are not reprobates, and consequently justified ones.
Like unto this is that other saying of the same apostle (Gal. 4:19): "My little children, of
whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you," and therefore the apostle terms
this, "Christ within, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27-28). Now that which is the hope of
glory can be no other than that which we immediately and most nearly rely upon for our
justification and that whereby we are really and truly made just. And as we do not hereby deny
but the original and fundamental cause of our justification is the love of God manifested in the
appearance of Jesus Christ in the flesh, who by his life, death, sufferings and obedience made a
way for our reconciliation and became a sacrifice for the remission of sins that are past, and
purchased unto us this seed and grace from which this birth arises, and in which
Jesus Christ is inwardly received, formed, and brought forth in us in his own pure and holy
image of righteousness; by which our souls live unto God and are clothed
with him, and have put him on, even as the Scripture speaks (Eph. 4:23-24; Gal. 3:27). We stand
justified and saved in and by him, and by his Spirit and grace (Rom. 3:24; 1 Cor. 6:11; Tit. 3:7).
So again reciprocally we are hereby made partakers of the fullness of his merits, and his cleansing
blood is near to wash away every sin and infirmity and to heal all our backslidings, as often as we
turn towards him by unfeigned repentance and become renewed by his Spirit. Those then that
find him thus raised and ruling in them have a true ground of hope to believe that they are
justified by his blood. But let not any deceive themselves, so as to foster themselves in a
vain hope and confidence that by the death and sufferings of Christ they are justified, so long as
"sin lies at their door" (Gen. 4:7), iniquity prevails, and they remain yet unrenewed
and unregenerate; lest it be said unto them, "I know you not." Let that saying of
Christ be remembered, "Not everyone that saith Lord, Lord, shall enter, but he that doth the
will of my Father" (Matt. 7:21). To which let these excellent sayings of the beloved disciple
be added: "Little children, let no man deceive you, he that doth righteousness is righteous,
even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for if our heart condemn us, God is
greater than our heart and knoweth all things" (1 John 3:7,20).
Many famous Protestants bear witness to this inward justification by Christ inwardly
revealed and formed in man, as 1) M. Borrhaus: "In the imputation," saith he,
"wherein Christ is ascribed and imputed to believers for righteousness, the merit of his
blood and the Holy Ghost given unto us by virtue of his merits, are equally included. And so it
shall be confessed that Christ is our righteousness as well from his merit,
satisfaction, and remission of sins obtained by him as from the gifts of the Spirit of righteousness.
And if we do this, we shall consider the whole Christ proposed to us for our salvation and not any
single part of him."cc The same
man (p. 169), "In our justification then Christ is considered, who breathes and lives
in us, to wit, by his Spirit put on by us concerning which putting on
the apostle saith, 'Ye have put on Christ.'" And again (p. 171), "We endeavour to
treat, in justification, not of part of Christ, but him wholly, in so far as he is our righteousness
every way." And a little after: "As then blessed Paul, in our justification, when he
saith, 'Whom he justified, them he glorified,' comprehends all things which pertain to our being
reconciled to God the Father, and our renewing which fits us for attaining unto glory, such as
faith, righteousness, Christ, and the gift of righteousness exhibited by him, whereby we are
regenerated to the fulfilling of the justification which the law requires; so we also will have all
things comprehended in this cause, which are contained in the recovery of righteousness and
innocency." And (p. 181): "The form," saith he, "of our justification is
the divine righteousness itself, by which we are formed just and good. This is Jesus Christ, who is
esteemed our righteousness, partly from the forgiveness of sins, and partly from the renewing and
the restoring of that integrity which was lost by the fault of the first Adam: so that this new and
heavenly Adam being put on by us, of which the apostle saith, 'Ye have put on Christ,' ye have put
him on, I say, as the form, so the righteousness, wisdom, and life of God." So also
affirmeth Claudius Alberius Inuncanus, see his Orat. Apodict. Lausaniae Excus., 1587.
Orat. 2, pp. 86-87. Zwingli also, in his epistle to the princes of Germany, as cited by
Himelius, c. vii., p. 60, saith, "That the sanctification of the Spirit is true
justification, which alone suffices to justify." Estius, upon 1 Cor. 6:11, saith, "Lest
Christian righteousness should be thought to consist in the washing alone, that is, in the remission
of sins, he addeth the other degree or part, 'but ye are sanctified'; that is, ye have attained to
purity, so that ye are now truly holy before God. Lastly, expressing the sum of the benefit
received in one word which includes both the parts, but ye are justified, the apostle adds, in the
name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that is, by his merits, and in the Spirit of our God, that is the Holy
Spirit, proceeding from God, and communicated to us by Christ." And lastly Richard
Baxter, a famous English preacher who yet liveth,6 in his book called Aphorisms of Justification (p. 80), saith,
"That some ignorant wretches gnash their teeth at this doctrine, as if it
were flat Popery, not understanding the nature of the righteousness of the new covenant; which is
all out of Christ in ourselves, though wrought by the power of the Spirit of Christ in
us."
§IX. The third thing proposed to be considered is
concerning good works, their necessity to justification. I suppose there is enough said before to
clear us from any imputation of being Popish in this matter.
Quest. But if it be queried, Whether we have not said, or will not affirm, that a
man is justified by works?
Answ. I answer; I hope none need, neither ought to take offence, if in this matter
we use the plain language of the Holy Scripture, which saith expressly in answer hereunto (James
2:24), "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." I
shall not offer to prove the truth of this saying, since what is said in this chapter by the apostle is
sufficient to convince any man, that will read and believe it, I shall only from this derive this one
argument:
Arg. If no man can be justified without faith, and no faith be living
nor yet available to justification without works, then works are necessary to
justification.
But the first is true; therefore the last.
For this truth is so apparent and evident in the Scriptures that for the proof of it we might
transcribe most of the precepts of the Gospel. I shall instance a few which of themselves do so
clearly assert the thing in question that they need no commentary nor further demonstration. And
then I shall answer the objections made against this which indeed are the arguments used for the
contrary opinion: Heb. 12:14, "Without holiness no man shall see God"; Matt. 7:21,
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but
he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven"; John 13:17, "If ye know these
things, happy are ye if ye do them"; 1 Cor. 7:19, "Circumcision is nothing, and
uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God"; Rev. 22:14,
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and
through the gates may enter into the city"; and many more that might be instanced. From
all which I thus argue:
Arg. If those only can enter into the Kingdom, that do the
will of the Father; if those be accounted only the wise builders and happy, that do the sayings of
Christ; if no observation avail, but only the keeping of the commandments; and if they be blessed
that do the commandments, and thereby have right to the tree of life, and entrance through the
gates into the city; then works are absolutely necessary to salvation and justification:
But the first is true;
And therefore also the last.
The consequence of the antecedent is so clear and evident, that I think no man of sound
reason will call for a proof of it.
§X. Obj. But they object that works are not
necessary to justification, first, because of that saying of Christ (Luke 17:10), "When ye
shall have done all these things that are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants,"
&c.
Answer: As to God we are indeed unprofitable, for he needeth nothing, neither can
we add anything unto him: but as to ourselves we are not unprofitable, else it might be said that it
is not profitable for a man to keep God's commandments, which is most absurd and would
contradict Christ's doctrine throughout. Doth not Christ (Matt. 5), through all those beatitudes,
pronounce men blessed for their purity, for their meekness, for their peaceableness, &c.?
And is not then that for which Christ pronounceth men blessed profitable unto them? Moreover
(Matt. 25:21,23), doth not Christ pronounce the men "good and faithful servants"
that improved their talents? Was not their doing of that then profitable unto them? And (v. 30) it
is said of him that hid his talent and did not improve it, "Cast ye the unprofitable servant
into utter darkness." If then their not improving of the talent made the man unprofitable,
and he was therefore cast into utter darkness, it will follow by the rule of contraries, so far at least
that the improving made the other profitable; seeing, if our adversaries will allow us to believe
Christ's words, this is made a reason and so at least a cause instrumental of their
acceptance: "Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
Obj. Secondly, they object those sayings of the apostle, where he excludes the deeds of the law from justification; as first (Rom. 3:20),
"Because by the deeds of the law therefore shall be no flesh justified in his sight, and (v. 28)
"therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the
law."
Answ. We have shown already what place we give to works, even to the best of
works, in justification, and how we ascribe its immediate and formal cause to the worker
brought forth in us, but not to the works. But in answer to this objection, I say,
there is a great difference betwixt the works of the Law, and those of grace or of the Gospel. The
first are excluded, the second not, but are necessary. The first are those which are performed in
man's own will and by his strength, in a conformity to the outward law and letter, and therefore
are man's own imperfect works, or works of the Law, which makes nothing perfect. And
to this belong all the ceremonies, purifications, washings, and traditions of the Jews. The second
are the works of the Spirit of Grace in the heart, wrought in conformity to the inward and spiritual
law: which works are not wrought in man's will, nor by his power and ability, but in and by the
power and Spirit of Christ in us, and therefore are pure and perfect in their
kind, as shall hereafter be proven, and may be called Christ's works, for that he is the immediate
author and worker of them. Such works we affirm absolutely necessary to justification, so
that a man cannot be justified without them; and all faith without them is dead and useless, as the
apostle James saith. Now that such a distinction is to be admitted, and that the works excluded by
the apostle in the matter of justification are of the first kind, will appear, if we consider the
occasion of the apostle's mentioning this, as well here, as throughout his epistle to the Galatians,
where he speaks of this matter, and to this purpose, at large: which was this, that whereas many
of the Gentiles that were not of the race nor seed of Abraham, as concerning the flesh, were come
to be converted to the Christian faith, and to believe in him, some of those that were of the Jewish
proselytes thought to subject the faithful and believing Gentiles to the legal ceremonies and
observations, as necessary to their justification. This gave the apostle Paul occasion at length, in
his epistle to the Romans, Galatians and elsewhere, to show the use and tendency of the Law, and of its works, and to contradistinguish them from the faith of Christ
and the righteousness thereof; showing how the former was ceased and become ineffectual; the
other remaining, and yet necessary. And that the works excluded by the apostle are of this kind of
works of the Law, appears by the whole strain of his epistle to the Galatians, chaps. 1-4. For
after, in the 4th chapter, he upbraideth them for their returning unto the observation of days and
times, and that, in the beginning of the 5th chapter, he showeth them their folly and the evil
consequence of adhering to the ceremonies of circumcision, then he adds (v. 6), "For in
Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision availeth, but faith which worketh by
love"; and thus he concludes again (chap. 6, v. 15), "For in Christ Jesus neither
circumcision availeth, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." From which places
appeareth that distinction of works afore-mentioned, whereof the one is excluded, the other
necessary to justification. For the apostle showeth here that circumcision, which word is often
used to comprehend the whole ceremonies and legal performances of the Jews, is not necessary,
nor doth avail. Here are then the works which are excluded, by which no man is justified; but
faith, which worketh by love, but the new creature, this is that which availeth, which is absolutely
necessary; for faith that worketh by love, cannot be without works; for, as it is said in the same
5th chapter, verse 22, "Love is a work of the Spirit." Also the new creature, if it avail
and be necessary, cannot be without works, seeing it is natural for it to bring forth works of
righteousness. Again, that the apostle no ways intends to exclude such good works appears, in
that in the same epistle he exhorts the Galatians to them, and holds forth the usefulness and
necessity of them, and that very plainly, (chap. 6, vv. 7-9): "Be not deceived," saith
he, "God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap: for he that
soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the
Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap,
if we faint not." Doth it not hereby appear, how necessary the apostle would have the
Galatians know that he esteemed good works to be? To wit, not the outward ceremonies and traditions of the Law, but the fruits of the Spirit mentioned a
little before, by which Spirit he would have them to be led, and walk in those good works: as also,
how much he ascribed to these good works by which he affirms life everlasting is reaped. Now,
that cannot be useless to man's justification, which capacitates him to reap so rich a harvest.
But lastly, for a full answer to this objection, and for the establishing of this doctrine of
good works, I shall instance another saying of the same apostle Paul, which our adversaries also
in the blindness of their minds make use of against us, to wit (Tit. 3:5): "Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." It is generally granted by all, that
"saved" is here all one as if it had been said "justified." Now there are
two kinds of works here mentioned: one by which we are not saved, that is, not justified; and
another by which we are saved, or justified. The first, the works of righteousness which we have
wrought, that is, which we in our first, fallen nature, by our own strength, have wrought, our own
legal performances, and therefore may truly and properly be called ours, whatever specious
appearances they may seem to have. And that it must needs and ought so to be understood, doth
appear from the other part: "But by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy
Ghost"; seeing regeneration is a work, comprehensive of many good works, even of all
those which are called "the fruits of the Spirit."
Obj. Now in case it should be objected that these may also be called ours, because
wrought in us, and also by us many times as instruments.
Answ. I answer, it is far otherwise than the former: for in the first we are yet alive
in our own natural state, unrenewed, working of ourselves, seeking to save ourselves by imitating
and endeavouring a conformity to the outward letter of the Law, and so wrestling and striving in
the carnal mind that is enmity to God and in the cursed will not yet subdued. But in this second
we are "crucified with Christ," we are become "dead with him," have
"partaken of the fellowship of his sufferings," are made "conformable to his
death," and our first man, our "old man with all his deeds," as well the openly wicked as the seeming righteous, our legal endeavours and
foolish wrestlings are all buried and nailed to the cross of Christ, and so it is no more we but
Christ alive in us, the worker in us. So that though it be we in a sense, yet it is according
to that of the apostle to the same (Gal. 2:20), "I am crucified,7 yet nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me," not I,
but the Grace of Christ in me. These works are especially to be ascribed to the Spirit of Christ
and the grace of God in us, as being immediately thereby acted and led in them, and
enabled to perform them. And this manner of speech is not strained, but familiar to the apostles,
as appears (Gal. 2:8): "For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the
circumcision, the same was mighty in me," &c. (Phil. 2:13): "For it is God which
worketh in you, both to will and to do," &c. So that it appears by this place, that,
since the washing of regeneration is necessary to justification, and that regeneration comprehends
works, works are necessary; and that these works of the law that are excluded, are different from
these that are necessary and admitted.
§XI. Obj. Thirdly, they object that no works,
yea, not the works of Christ in us, can have place in justification, because nothing that is impure
can be useful in it; and all the works wrought in us are impure. For this they allege that saying of
the prophet Isaiah (64:6): "All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags"; adding this
reason, that, seeing we are impure, so must our works be, which, though good in themselves, yet
as performed by us they receive a tincture of impurity, even as clean water passing through an
unclean pipe is defiled.
Answ. That no impure works are useful to justification is confessed; but that all
the works wrought in the saints are such is denied. And for answer to this, the former
distinction will serve. We confess that the first sort of works, above mentioned, are impure; but
not the second: because the first are wrought in the unrenewed state, but not the other. And as
for that of Isaiah, it must relate to the first kind; for though he saith, "All our
righteousnesses are as filthy rags," yet that will not comprehend the righteousness of Christ
in us, but only that, which we work of and by
ourselves. For should we so conclude, then it would follow that we should throw away all
holiness and righteousness, since that which is as filthy rags, and as a menstruous garment, ought
to be thrown away; yea, it would follow that all the fruits of the Spirit, mentioned Gal. 5, were as
filthy rags: whereas, on the contrary, some of the works of the saints are said to have a
"sweet savour in the nostrils of the Lord"; are said to be an "ornament of great
price in the sight of God"; are said to "prevail with him," and to be
"acceptable to him"; which filthy rags and a menstruous garment cannot be. Yea
many famous Protestants have acknowledged that this place is not, therefore, so to be
understood. Calvin upon this place saith, "That it is used to be cited by some, that they may
prove there is so little merit in our works, that they are, before God, filthy and defiled; but this
seems to me to be different from the prophet's mind" (saith he) "seeing he speaks not
here of all mankind." Musculus upon this place saith, "That it was usual for this
people to presume much of their legal righteousness, as if thereby they were made clean;
nevertheless, they had no more cleanness than the unclean garment of a man. Others expound this
place concerning all the righteousness of our flesh; that opinion indeed is true. Yet I think that the
prophet did rather accommodate these sayings to the impurity of that people in legal terms."
The author (commonly supposed Bertius) speaking concerning the true sense of the 7th chapter of
the epistle to the Romans, hath a digression touching this of Isaiah, saying, "This place is
commonly corrupted by a pernicious wresting: for it is still alleged, as if the meaning thereof
inferred the most excellent works of the best Christians," &c.dd James Coret, a French minister
in the church of Basil, in his Apology concerning Justification against Alescales, saith;
"Nevertheless, according to the counsel of certain good men, I must admonish the reader
that it never came into our minds to abuse that saying of Isaiah (64:6), against good works, in
which it is said, that all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, as if we would have that which is
good in our good works, and proceedeth from the Holy Spirit, to be esteemed as a filthy and
unclean thing."ee
§XII. As to the other part, that
seeing the best of men are still impure and imperfect, therefore their works must be so; it is to beg
the question, and depends upon a proposition denied, and which is to be discussed at further
length in the next proposition. But though we should suppose a man not thoroughly perfect in all
respects, yet will not that hinder, but good and perfect works in their kind may be brought forth
in him by the Spirit of Christ; neither doth the example of water going through an unclean
pipe hit the matter; because though water may be capable to be tinctured with uncleanness, yet the
Spirit of God cannot, whom we assert to be the immediate author of those works that avail in
justification; and therefore Jesus Christ's works in his children are pure and perfect, and he
worketh in and through that pure thing of his own forming and creating in them.
Moreover, if this did hold, according to our adversaries' supposition, that no man ever was or can
be perfect, it would follow that the very miracles and works of the apostles, which Christ wrought
in them, and they wrought in and by the Power, Spirit and Grace of Christ, were also impure and
imperfect, such as their converting of the nations to the Christian faith, their gathering of the
churches, their writing of the Holy Scriptures, yea, and their offering up and sacrificing of their
lives for the testimony of Jesus. What may our adversaries think of this argument, whereby it will
follow, that the Holy Scriptures, whose perfection and excellency they seem so much to magnify,
are proved to be impure and imperfect, because they came through impure and imperfect vessels?
It appears by the confessions of Protestants, that the Fathers did frequently attribute unto works
of this kind, that instrumental work, which we have spoken of, in justification (albeit some
ignorant persons cry out it is Popery) and also divers, and that famous Protestants, do of
themselves confess it. Amandus Polanus, in his Symphonia Catholica, cap. 27,
de Remissione Peccatorum, p. 651, places this thesis as the common opinion of
Protestants, most agreeable to the doctrine of the Fathers: "We obtain the remission of sins
by repentance, confession, prayers, and tears proceeding from faith, but do not merit, to speak
properly; and therefore we obtain remission of sins, not by the merit of our repentance and
prayers, but by the mercy and goodness of God." Innocentius Gentiletus, a lawyer of great fame among Protestants, in his Examen of the Council of
Trent (pages 66-67, of justification), having before spoken of faith and works, adds these
words: "But seeing the one cannot be without the other, we call them both conjunctly
instrumental causes."ff Zanchi, in
his fifth book De Natura Dei, saith; "We do not simply deny that good works are the
cause of salvation, to wit, the instrumental, rather than the efficient cause, which they call sine
qua non." And afterwards, "Good works are the instrumental cause of the
possession of life eternal, for by these, as by a means and a lawful way, God leads unto the
possession of life eternal." W. Ames saith, "That our obedience, albeit it be not the
principal and meritorious cause of life eternal, is nevertheless a cause in some respect,
administering, helping, and advancing towards the possession of the life."gg Also Richard Baxter, in the
book above cited (p. 155), saith, "That we are justified by works in the same kind of
causality as by faith, to wit, as being both causes sine qua non, or conditions of the new
covenant on our part requisite to justification." And (p. 195) he saith, "It is needless
to teach any scholar, who hath read the writings of Papists, how this doctrine differs from
them."
But lastly, because it is fit here to say something of the merit and reward of
works, I shall add something in this place of our sense and belief concerning that matter:
we are far from thinking or believing that man merits anything by his works from God, all being of
free grace, and therefore do we, and always have denied that Popish notion of meritum
ex condigno, nevertheless we cannot deny but that God out of his infinite goodness
wherewith he hath loved mankind, after he communicates to him his holy Grace and Spirit, doth,
according to his own will, recompense and reward the good works of his children: and therefore
this merit of congruity or reward, insofar as the Scripture is plain and positive for it, we may not
deny; neither wholly reject the word in so far as the Scripture makes use of it. For the same
Greek 
, which signifies "merit," is also
in those places where the translators express it worth, or worthy, as Matt. 3:8; 1
Thess. 2:12; 2 Thess. 1:5,11. Concerning which R. Baxter saith, in the
above cited book (p. 8), "But in a larger sense as promise is an obligation, and the thing
promised is said to be debt, so the performers of the conditions are called worthy, and that which
they perform merit, although properly all be of grace and not of debt." Also those who are
called the Fathers of the church frequently used this word of "merit," whose sayings
concerning this matter I think not needful to insert because it is not doubted, but evident, that
many Protestants are not averse from this word in the sense that we use it. The Apology for the
Augustan confession, art. 20, hath these words: "We agree that works are truly meritorious,
not of remission of sins or justification; but they are meritorious of other rewards corporal and
spiritual, which are indeed as well in this life as after this life." And further, "Seeing
works are a certain fulfilling of the law, they are rightly said to be meritorious; it is rightly said
that a reward is due to them."
In the acts of the conference of Oldenburgh the Electoral Divines (pp. 110 and 265) say,
"In this sense our churches also are not averse from the word 'merit' used by the Fathers;
neither therefore do they defend the Popish doctrine of merit."
G. Voss, in his theological thesis concerning the merits of good works, saith; "We
have not adventured to condemn the word 'merit' wholly, as being that which both many of the
ancients use, and also the reformed churches have used in their confessions. Now that God
judgeth and accepteth men, according to their works, is beyond doubt to those, that seriously will
read and consider these scriptures: Matt. 16:27; Rom. 2:6-7,10; 2 Cor. 5:10; James 1:25; Heb.
10:35; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 22:12."
§XIII. And to conclude this theme, let none be so bold
as to mock God, supposing themselves justified and accepted in the sight of God, by virtue of
Christ's death and sufferings, while they remain unsanctified and unjustified in their own hearts,
and polluted in their sins, lest their hope prove that of the hypocrite, which perisheth.hh Neither let any foolishly
imagine that they can, by their own works, or by the performance of any ceremonies or traditions, or by the giving of gold or money, or by afflicting their bodies in will
worship and voluntary humility, or foolishly striving to conform their way to the outward letter of
the law, flatter themselves that they merit before God, or draw a debt upon him, or that any man,
or men, have power to make such kind of things effectual to their justification, lest they be found
foolish boasters and strangers to Christ and his righteousness indeed. But blessed forever are
they, that having truly had a sense of their own unworthiness and sinfulness, and having seen all
their own endeavours and performances fruitless and vain, and beheld their own emptiness, and
the vanity of their vain hopes, faith, and confidence, while they remained inwardly pricked,
pursued, and condemned by God's holy witness in their hearts, and so having
applied themselves thereto, and suffered his grace to work in them; are become changed and
renewed in the spirit of their minds, passed from death to life, and know
Jesus arisen in them, working both the will and the deed; and so having "put
on the Lord Jesus Christ," in effect are clothed with him and partake of his righteousness
and nature; such can draw near to the Lord with boldness, and know their acceptance in,
and by him; in whom, and in as many as are found in him, the Father is well
pleased.
Notes
a. So saith the Westminster Confession of Faith,
chap. 11, sect. 1.
b. Eph. 2:15.
c. 1 John 4:10.
d. Ezek. 16:6.
e. 1 Pet. 2:22-24.
f. 1 Pet. 3:18.
g. Tit. 2:14.
h. Phil. 3:10.
i. I do not only speak concerning men before
conversion, who afterwards are converted, whom yet some of our antagonists, called
Antinomians, do aver were justified from the beginning; but also touching those who, according
to the common opinion of Protestants, have been converted; whom, albeit they confess they
persist always in some misdeeds, and sometimes in heinous sins, as is manifest in David's adultery
and murder, yet they assert to be perfectly and wholly justified.
j. Heb. 11:6.
k. John 3:18.
l. Luke 13:3.
m. Rom. 8:13.
n. Rev. 2:5.
o. Heb. 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22.
p. De Just. con. Bell. lib. 2 cap. 7
pag. 469.
q. Disp. de lust. Thes. 3.
r. In cap. 2. ad Eph. ver 4. loc. de
lust.
s. Tom. 3. de Sanct. lib. 10
cap. 1.
t. In cap. 3. ad Tit. ver. 7.
u. In Apol. Confess. Aug.
v. In Gen. cap. 15. ad verb. Cred
dit Abraham Deo., p. 161.
w. lib. 3. Reg. cap. 9. ver. 4., p.
681.
x. In Rom. 4 3d ver. 16.
y. In considerat. modest. de Just. lib. 2.
Sect. 8.
z. Inst. lib. 5. cap. 11, Sect.
15.
aa. In exam. Concil. Trid. de Just., p.
129.
bb. In cap. 2. ad Eph. ver. 4
loc. de lust. Thes. 19.
cc. In Gen. pag. 162.
dd. Epistola praefixiae dissert. ann.
ee. Impress. Paris ann. 1597, pag. 78.
ff. Impress Genevae 1536.
gg. In medulla S. Theologiae, lib. 2,
cap. 1, thesi 30.
hh. Job 8:13.
Editor's Notes
1. Later editors replace "revealed to us"
with "revealed in us."
2. pretermit = disregard
3. luculently = clearly
4. Later editors mistakenly insert "not"
here; but Barclay has quoted Pareus correctly.
5. Later editors omit
"comparatively."
6. Later editors omit "who yet
liveth."
7. Later editors insert "with
Christ."