The works of the Reverend and learned John Lightfoot D. D., late Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge such as were, and such as never before were printed : in two volumes : with the authors life and large and useful tables to each volume : also three maps : one of the temple drawn by the author himself, the others of Jervsalem and the Holy Land drawn according to the author's chorography, with a description collected out of his writings.

VERS. X.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c.

Of righteousness, &c.

THAT this righteousness here mention'd is to be understood of the righteousness of Christ, hardly any but will readily enough grant; but the question is, what sort of righteousness of his is here meant, whether his personal and inherent, or his commu∣nicated and justifying righteousness? we may say that both may be meant here.

I. Because he went to the Father, it abundantly argu'd him a just and righteous person, held under no guilt at all, however condemn'd by men as a malefactor.

II. Because he pour'd out the Spirit, it argu'd the merit of his righteousness, for other∣wise he could not in that manner have given the Holy Spirit. And indeed, that what is chiefly meant here is that righteousness of his by which we are justify'd, this may perswade us that so many and so great things are spoken concerning it in the Holy▪ Scriptures. Isai. LVI. 1. My Salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed, Dan. IX. 29. To bring in everlasting righteousness. Jer. XXIII. 6. This is his name by which he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. And in the Epistles of the Apostles, especi∣ally those of St. Paul, this righteousness is frequently and highly celebrated, seeming in∣deed the main and principal subject of the Doctrines of the Gospel.

In the stead of many others let this serve for all, Rom. I. 17. For therein [viz. in the Gospel] is the righteousness of God reveal'd, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from faith to faith, which words may be a good Comment upon the foregoing Clause.

I. The Law teacheth faith; that is, that we believe in God. But the Gospel directs us to proceed from faith to faith, viz. from faith in God, to faith in Christ; for true and saving faith is not a meer naked recumbency immediately upon God, which faith the Jews were wont to profess, but faith in God, by the mediation of faith in Christ.

II. In the Law the righteousness of God was reveal'd condemning, but in the Gospel it was reveal'd justifying the sinner. And this is the great mystery of the Gospel, that sinnes are justify'd not only through the grace and meer compassion and mercy of God, but through Divine justice and righteousness too, that is, through the righteousness of Christ, who is Jehovah, the Lord our righteousness.

And the Spirit of Truth when he came, he did reprove and instruct the world concern∣ing these two great articles of faith, wherein the Jews had so mischievously deceiv'd themselves; that is, concerning true saving faith, faith in Christ; and also concerning the manner or formal cause of Justification, viz. the righteousness of Christ.

But then how can we form the Argument? I go unto the Father, therefore the world shall be convinc'd of my justifying righteousness.

I. Let us consider that the expression, I go unto the Father, hath something more in it than I go to Heaven. So that by this kind of phrase our Saviour seems to hint, That work being now finisht, for the doing of which my Father sent me into the world, I am now return∣ing to him again. Now the work which Christ had to do for the Father was various. The manifestation of the Father, Preaching the Gospel, vanquishing the enemies of God, sin, death and the Devil; but the main and chief of all, and upon which all the rest did depend was, that he might perform a perfect obedience, or obediential righteousness to God.

God had created man that he might obey his Maker, which when he did not do, but being led away by the Devil, grew disobedient, where was the Creator's glory? The De∣vil triumphs that the whole humane race in Adam, had kickt against God, prov'd a rebel, and warr'd under the banners of Satan. It was necessary therefore that Christ clothing him∣self in the humane nature, should come into the world, and vindicate the glory of God, by performing an intire obedience due from mankind, and worthy of his Maker. He did what weigh'd down for all the disobedience of all mankind, I may say of the Devils too, for his obedience was infinite. He fulfilled a righteousness by which sinners might be ju∣stify'd, which answer'd that justice that would have condemned them, for the righteous∣ness was infinite. This was the great business he had to do in this world to pay such an obedience, and to fulfill such a righteousness; and this righteousness is the principal and noble theme and subject of the Evangelical Doctrine, Rom. I. 17. of this the world must primarily, and of necessity be convinc'd and instructed to the glory of him that justifieth, and the declaration of the true Doctrine of Justification. And this rightequsness of his was abundantly evidenced by his going to the Father, because he could not have been re∣ceiv'd there, if he had not fully accomplisht that work for which he had been sent.

II. It is added, not without reason, and ye see me no more; i. e. Although you are my nearest and dearest friends, yet you shall no more enjoy my presence on earth; by which may be evinced that you shall partake of my merits; especially when the world shall see you enricht so gloriously with the gifts of my Spirit.