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Verse 21.But now is the righteousnesse of God made manifest without the law, hauing witnesse of the law and the Prophets.
VVHat is the drift of this Text?
To teach how Gods elect doe attaine vnto true and perfect righteousnesse before God, to wit; not by their workes, but euen by the faith of Iesus Christ: for see∣ing there is no other way to haue righteousnesse but either by workes or faith, and by workes it cannot be had; there∣fore by faith.
How many things are heere to be considered?
Foure: First, the circumstance of time [Now.] Se∣condly, what is the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of God. Thirdly, how this is manifest, and how manifest without the law. Fourth∣ly, what witnesse it hath from the Prophets.
What is meant by [Now] this particle of time?
That is, at this present time wherein Paul and the other Apostles of Iesus Christ did preach the word.
What did we learne from this circumstance?
That God hath his appointed time for all his works, Eccles. 3, 1. which should teach patience and waiting vpon God. Secōdly, that the time of the gospel hath a more cleer reuelation of Gods good will to the elect then that of the law; which should breed thankfulnes for so great a mercy.
What is heere called the righteousnesse of God?
Not that whereby himselfe is righteous, for that is his owne essence, and is not communicated to vs; but that righteousnesse which is after called the righteousnesse of Christ, and the righteousnesse of faith, euen that righte∣ousnesse which is by faith in Christ, who is made perfect iustice to all which doe beleeue in him.
Why is this called the righteousnesse of God, of Christ, and of Faith?
It is called the righteousnes of God both from the cause and the effect, in asmuch as it is not of vs and our workes in part or in whole, nor from any man, but it is the guift of God. Secondly, it is that onely which God in his strict iustice approueth, and for which we are accepted with him: also it is called the righteousnesse of Christ, and of Faith, because Christ in his man-hood wrought it by his obedience to death, and our faith is that instrument wher∣by we attaine to it and receiue it, that it may be our owne for our full Iustification before God, vnto life eternall.
How did the Apostles make this manifest to the world?
After this sort: First, they preached repentance, set∣ting before mens eyes their sinnes, and their iust and feare∣full condemnation thereby. Secondly, they gathered to∣gether
out of the Scripture the properties of that Christ which should heale these euils. Thirdly, they applied the same properties to Iesus of Nazareth. Fourthly, they be∣seech and exhort all men to beleeue in him as their onely Sauiour. See Acts 2, 22. and 10, 36. and 13, 26.
What followeth in such as belieue such things?
First, they obtained remission of sinnes. Secondly, they were made inwardly new, and outwardly they liued hohly. Thirdly, they called vpon God with perseuerance, communicating together in prayer, doctrine, breaking of bread, and all holy workes. Fourthly, they stedfastly put their trust in God. Fistly, they regarded not riches, for they laid the price of their things at the Apostles feete. Sixtly, they gaue testimony of Christ boldly. Seauenthly, in his quarrell they bestowed their liues, and cheerefully shedde their bloud: For proose of all these, haue your recourse to the history of the Acts.
How is this righteousnes manifested without the law?
That is without the workes of the law, or without* 1.1 this that the law be fulfilled of vs; for some Gentiles were iustified which knew not the lawe: also some Iewes were iustified which regarded not the lawe: and though some did both knowe, regard, and doe it (as Nathanael and Za∣chary) yet the obseruation of the law by them, was not the cause why they were iustified. The law then is an helpe to iustification, in somuch as it doth accuse and condemn vs, and so driues vs to Christ accidentally, as a disease brings to the Phisition: but the law of it selfe hath no strength to forgiue sinne, and to suggest and work faith into our harts, or to enable vs to keepe it perfectly, that we might bee iu∣stified thereby.
How many wayes hath this righteousnes witnes of the law and the Prophets?
the Whales belly three daies; also the Paschall Lambe, the Rocke, the Cloud, did shew Christ. Thirdly, by Sacrifices, Offerings, and ceremonies of the law, the bloud of Lambs & Goates, did signifie Christ to be slain for sin. Fourthly, by the Sacraments, as Circumcision and the Passeouer; all which doe beare testimony that our righteousnes, remissi∣on of our sinnes, and eternall life, are not to bee founde in our selues, but to be sought by faith in Iesus Christ.
That law in this text hath a double acception, 1. for the doc∣trine of the moral Law: this doth not reueale faith in Christ, ney ther yet natu ral law: 2 for the bookes of Mese, where in be many promises of Christ.
Iohn 5 46.
Acts 10. 43.
Rom. 1. 2.