Controv. 24. Against the Popish inherent iustice.
v. 9. So by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous, &c. The Romanists, as Bellar. lib. 2. de. iustificat. c. 1. Pererius disputa. 17. doe much vrge this argument against imputatiue iustice, that we are not iustified by the righteousnesse of Christ imputed by faith, but by an inherent righteousnesse wrought in vs by Christ, whereby we are formally made iust: because we are so made righteous and iust in Christ, as we became sinners in Adam: but that was not by imputation of Adams sinne, but by sinne dwelling in them, whereby they are formally made sinners: therefore we are formally made righteous by an inherent iustice remayning in vs, and not imputed onely: Pererius further vrgeth the phrase, iusti con∣stituentur, many shall be made iust, which is not all one, as to be reputed iust, or to be iust by imputation; but to be iust indeed.
Contra. 1. The comparison betweene Adams disobedience, and Christs obedience doth hold verie well euen in this point of imputation: for as there is in making of vs sinners, both an imputation of Adams sinne to his posteritie, as comming out of his loines, as also an habituall prauitie and corruption of nature, the effect thereof: so their is a double ope∣ration of Christs obedience: both it is imputed vnto vs by faith, whereby we are iustified before God, and thereby there is wrought in vs holines and righteousnesse, which is our sanctification, but by this, because it is imperfect in this life, we are not iustified before God. 2. and whereas the Apostle vseth the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, constituentur, shall be made or constituted iust, we confesse that he meaneth, they shall be made iust indeede in Christ: but therefore the word is put in the future tence, because in this life our sanctifica∣tion is but begun, it shall not be absolutely perfect till the next life, when all imperfection and impuritie of our nature shall be cleane taken away, and then shall we be made perfectly iust indeed: See a more full answer to this obiection, Synops. Centur. 4. er. 56.
3. But if they shall further replie, that we are rather made sinners by the reall cor∣ruption of our nature, then by the imputation of Adams sinne, and so consequently we should rather be iustified by an inherent righteousnesse, then imputed onely; we answer, that herein appeareth the preheminence of grace, that Christs righteousnesse onely imputed is more able to iustifie vs, then Adams sinne onely imputed, was to con∣demne vs.
