Christ's righteousness a believer's surest plea for eternal life, or, The doctrine of justification by the imputation of the righteousness of Christ stated, cleared, and vindicated in several sermons on Rom. 3. 22 / by Michael Harrison, minister of Casfield in Bucks.

Application.

Is this so, that there is no other way for a Sinner to be justified in the Sight of God, but by the imputation of the Righteousness of Christ received by Faith alone; then we shall make a threefold Use of this blessed Truth.

A Use of

• 1. Information.
• 2. Examination.
• 3. Exhortation.

The first Use shall be of Information in Five Things.

1. If this be so, that there is no other way of Justification, but by the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness, then this informs us, that the way of Justification taught by the Papists, is dangerous and destructive to Souls for they join Works with the Righteousness of Christ; or rather set up Works in the point of Justifica∣tion, in opposition to Christ; as Vasques, a Popish Author saith, where he ascribes all to Works, nothing to Christ, as he is quoted by Mr. Pool, in his Dialogue: Saith, That Eternal Life is due to a good Man without any Covenant, or Favour of God: And, that the Merits of Christ add no Worth to the Works of

a good Man. Many more such like Sayings may be seen in Pool's Dialogue, pag. 206. 207. A Book I could wish were in all Protestant-Hands. But I beseech you hold fast this blessed Truth, That we are justified in the Sight of God by the Righteousness of Christ imputed; and then all Antichristia Fogs will be dissipated.

2. This being so, that we are justified by Faith alone; then this shews the Falseness and Dangerousness of the Arminian Way of Justi∣fication: Which they thus express, That we are justified by Faith in a proper Sense; i. e. the Act of believing, is that that is imputed to us; and for which we are accepted with God, as if it were the perfect Righteousness of the Law. Or more plainly thus: Our Faith and sincere Obedience to the Gospel, is our Evangelical Righteousness, which God for Christ's sake accepts, as if it were perfect; but this Doctrine being true, that we are ju∣stified by Faith, as it apprehends Christ, this must needs be false.

3. This being so; then see what a rotten Sect the Quakers are; and as in most other, so they are very rotten in this fundamental Point, for whatever crafty Words they speak;

that they are justified by Christ, and his im∣puted Righteousness, they mean nothing but their adored Light within: For in their De∣claration of Faith, pag. 19, 20. though they endeavour to hide and cover their Error in this Point, by many crafty Words, such as this, that Acceptance with the Father is on∣ly in Christ, and by his Righteousness impu∣ted to us, &c. But they, as the Papists, with whom they agree in many fundamen∣tal Errors, have secret Reserves; say one thing, but mean another; they deny Faith, to receive Christ's Righteousness, calling it scoffingly an Act of the Creaturely Skill, and a Fiction of Man's Brain; and bring all to our Walking, as may there be Seen. And when they say, pag. 20. that it is not by Acts of Righteousness done by our selves, that we are justified; but by Christ, who works those Acts in us, and for us. Here you see 'tis Acts in us for which we we justified; not done by us, but by the Light in us, which they blasphemously call sometimes God, and sometimes the Holy Ghost, by, and from which the Holy Scriptures were written, as in the forecited Book, pag. 6. and sometimes Christ. Those that would see how gross they are in this Point, See these Books writ∣ten by Ringleaders amongst them. But, dear

Christians, let me beg of you to receive this blessed Truth, that you have seen clearly proved from the Word of God; and then all Popish, Arminian, and Quaking Errors will vanish.

4. See here also the Errors of the Anti∣nomians confuted; who say, That we are justi∣fied from Eternity: But this cannot be; be∣cause we must he charged with Guilt before we can be justified, this could not be before we had sinned. Again, none can be justified till they believe. Joh. 3.36. actual Faith is not from Eternity. Again, there is a time when the Saints that are now justified, were under Condemnation, Eph. 2.2. 1 Cor. 6.11.

5 This then informs of the great Sin and Guilt that is committed and contracted, by those Ministers that have received Charge of Souls and do not faithfully shew poor Sin∣ners this way to Life and Glory; i. e. by the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness. Those are undoubtedly Enemies to their own, and Peoples Souls, who do not direct their People to the Righteousness of Christ for Justifica∣tion and Eternal Life, and whatever such may now think or say, they'll find their Account very terrible, when the chief Shepherd shall appear, 1 Cor. 9.16. A Necessity is laid on me to peach the Gospel and wo unto me if I preach not the Gospel.

The Second Use shall be of Examination. Is this so, that we are justified in the Sight of God, by the Imputation of Christ's Righ∣teousness received by Faith alone?

Then let me beseech every one of you to make a pause here: Stand a while, and reflect seriously upon your selVes; put this Query to your own Hearts, Whether am I justified, or no? Clothed with the Righteous∣ness of Christ, or no?

Quest. But how may I know whether I am a justified Person or no?

1. Negatively, There be several sorts of Persons that may be sure they are not justi∣fied, are not in Christ, have no Right or Ti∣tle to Eternal Life. As, 1. All open, scanda∣lous, and profane Sinners; who though in Words they may own Christ, yet in Works deny him, Tit. 1. ult. such as Swearers, Drun∣kards, Scoffers at Holiness, Enemies to the Life and Power of Godliness, Profaners of Sabbaths, proud, covetous Worldlings, Atheists, such as live and allow themselves in a Trade and Course of Sin. The World is full of these; the Nation, Towns, Parishes, swarm with such: To be sure you that are such are not justified, Exod. 23.7. The Lord will not ju∣stifie the Wicked.

Objection.

But is not God said to justifie the Ungodly? Rom. 4.5.

Answer.

Though God find Sinners ungodly, yet he doth not leave them so; but always whom he justifies he sanctifieth, Rom. 8.30. Whom he called, them he justified, 1 Cor. 6.9, 10, 11. Know you not that the Ʋnrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. Be not deceived: (and then he gives you a Catalogue of such as are marching in the forlorn Hope for Hell:) And then adds, Such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justi∣fied.

2. Such are not justified, as are ignorant of, and Strangers to the Way of Salvation by Jesus Christ, Joh. 17.3. 'Tis Life Eternal to know God and Jesus Christ. I do not here speak of Infants or Idiots, but adult Persons; 'tis sad not to know Christ, to sit under a Ministry that does not reveal Christ: Igno∣rance of any of the Fundamentals of Religion is dangerous, but Ignorance of Christ is dam∣nable, 2 Thes. 1.8. Taking Vengeance on them that know not God.

3. Such as have no saving Work of God upon their Hearts, are Strangers to the Life

and Power of Godliness: These are not justi∣fied; for Justification and Sanctification always go together.

2. Positively; If you are sanctified, you are justified. Now I beseech you, examine whe∣ther ever you have felt that Heavenly Change upon your Hearts, mentioned Ezek. 36.25, 26, 27.

But particularly, let me put you upon the Trial of your Faith; if you have saving Faith, you are justified Persons: Faith is that Grace that lays hold on Christ; and whoever hath it, hath Christ and Eternal Life in him, Mark 16. He that believeth shall be saved. Take these Signs of true saving Faith.

1. If your Hearts lie under the commanding Power of the Word of God, desire to obey every Command; then your Faith is right, and you are justified Persons, Psal. 119.4, 5, 6.

Objection.

Alas, I am so far from obeying all, that I obey none as I should.

Answer.

But can you not say with David, you respect all, v. 6. God accepts the Will for the Deed; if your Faith be right, its productive of Ho∣liness, Jam. 1.17.

2. Where there's saving Faith, Jesus Christ is prized above all the World, 1 Pet. 2.7. To you that believe, he is precious. Now what Thoughts have you of Christ, and what Affe∣ctions to him? Do not you love him? Are not the Desire of your Souls to his Name? Do you prize Christ above all, and count it a singular Fa∣vour and Honour to be employed for him, to wait on him in any of his Ordinances.

3. Faith purifies the Heart, Act. 15.9. its not so much for Shews as for Heart soundness, Psal. 119.30. Do you long for Heart-purity; then you are blessed, Matth. 5.6.

O try your Faith, Joh. 3.36. He that believeth, hath Eternal Life.

The third Use shall be of Exhortation, in two Branches.

1. To Sinners yet unjustified.

2. To the Saints, and such as are in Christ.

1. To you who are yet unconverted, and in a State of Condemnation; How dreadful is your Condition? God's righteous Law curses and condemns you, Gal 3.10. You are Sin∣ners, God-provoking, Hell deserving Sinners: A Hellish Nature you brought into the World

with you, and Hellish Fruits hath it brought forth in your Lives. God hath been excee∣dingly dishonoured by you: The Spirit of Grace has been grieved by you. The pre∣cious things of God, and the great Things of Eternity, have been much slighted and ne∣glected by you. You have been full of Cares and Projects for the Body and bodily Con∣cerns; but your immortal Souls have been little regarded: You have lived, as if there had been no other World but this: As if the terrible Threatnings against Sin and Sin∣ners, had been but meer Bugbears; and the precious Promises of the Gospel, but Fa∣bles. And yet die you must, and enter up∣on an Eternity of Glory in Heaven, or Mi∣sery in the burning Lake in a very short Time.

O, Sirs, I beg of you in the Bowels of Jesus Christ, that you will seriously set your selves to consider, how dreadful it will be to die before you live; to die a natural Death, before you live a spiritual Life. It will be dreadful for you to appear at the Bar of God out of Christ; to stand trembling before the Judge of Quick and Dead, without either the inherent Righteousness of Sanctification, or the imputed Righteousness of Justification; for if you have not the former, to be sure you have not the latter.

You see here is Provision made; here is a perfect spotless Righteousness, able to co∣ver all your spiritual Deformities, and to

present you without Spot and Blemish before God's Tribunal.

And it is offered to you in the Gospel; you may have it if the Fault be not in your selves; you are fairly invited to come to Christ, Isa. 55.1. Ho, every one that thir∣steth, come ye to the Waters; and he that hath no Money, Come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy Wine and Milk without Money, and without Price. So v. 7.

And therefore be not so cruel to your own Souls, as to go on, and die in your Sins: Therefore let me beg this small Re∣quest of you; I am not begging your Silver or Gold, nor your Favours to my self, but what infinitely concerns your own Everlasting Good. My Request is, that this Evening before you sleep, you would get alone, and put this Question solemnly and seriously to your selves: What am I? Whether am I justified by the Imputation of the Righteous∣ness of Christ or no? If not; as there's no∣thing so sure, as that I am not justified, if I am not sanctified, what will become of me when I die? How shall I dare to appear at God's righteous Bar? Now is this Request unreaso∣nable? If I could tell what Words would af∣fect your Hearts, I would speak them. I besecch you, my Brethren, one and another, young and old, rich and poor, be reconciled to God; nay, not I, but Jesus Christ, by me, be∣seeches you to be reconciled. Suppose Jesus

Christ were now in this Pulpit, thus beseeching and inviting you to come to himself, believe in him, How would your Hearts melt? Why I am his Servant and Messenger, I come not of my self, he sent me; if you despise this Message, from my Mouth, you despise Christ, Luk. 10.16. He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me. We are Ambassadors for Christ: as though God did beseech you by us. We pray you in Christ's Stead, be ye recon∣ciled to God, 2 Cor. 5.20.

The Second Branch of this Exhortation shall be to you that are in Christ: You are the Children of God by Faith; you can prove your Title to Christ's imputed Righteousness by the Fruits of the Spirit in your Hearts, Gal. 5.22.

1. Have you a saving Interest in Christ? live to him. Col. 2.6. As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him. Remember, such as are in Christ walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. O labour to be righte∣ous as he is righteous; walk circumspectly, not as Fools, but as wise; as you call on the Name of Christ, depart from all iniqui∣ty: Be much in Prayer to him, secret Prayer, Matth. 6.6. Enter into thy Closet, shut thy Door, pray to thy Father in secret. Let thy Heart run out, run over in Love to him. Cant. 1.7. O thou whom my Soul loves! The ignorant World calumniates this heavenly Do∣ctrine

of Justification, to lead to Loosness. O convince Gainsayers by a strict, holy, heaven∣ly Walk, that they that will speak evil of you, may have nothing rightly to accuse your good Conversation: Prize all the Truths of God: Stick close to every Ordinance; as new born Babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby. O have a care that while you seek to be justified by Christ, you your selves are not found Sinners. Gal. 2.17. Be holy in all manner of Conversation. Be holy in your Closets, in your Families, in the inward Frame of your Hearts, and in all your dealing and converse in the World.

2. Do not only live to Jesus Christ; but live upon him; live by Faith. Gal. 2.20. The Life I live in the World, is by the Faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

1. Live upon Christ for Temporals; and this you may do with much comfort and ease; banish all anxious, distrustful, distracting Cares and Fears about the World. Cast your Care on him, he cares for you. Psal. 55.22. Cast thy Burthen upon the Lord, and he shall su∣stain thee; he will never suffer the righteous to be moved. 1 Pet. 5.7. He that has given the greater, will certainly give the lesser. Rom. 8.32. He that spared not his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how shall he not with him freely give us all things? Also he that has given you Christ and Pardon, will give you Food and

Raiment, Provision and Protection, and what∣ever may be necessary for you in this Life. Heb. 13.5, 6. Let your Conversation be without Covetousness; and be content with such things as you have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my Helper, I will not fear what Man shall do unto me.

2. Live upon Christ for Spirituals: especial∣ly Pardon of Sin, and Acceptance in his sight; when at any time you are assaulted with Temp∣tations about the state and Condition of your Souls; live in Duties, & exercise Grace; but do not live upon them; but live wholly by Faith on Christ: When the Guilt of Sin stares you in the Face, and raises some Terror within, do as David did in the like case, Psal. 51.7. Fly to the Blood of Sprinkling. It would much conduce to the Peace and Comfort of Christians, if they did more believingly consider, that our Accep∣tance with God is not for our Duties and Graces, but only for Christ's Merits. God doth not love his People the less for their remaining Infirmities. Sin in a Believer, may darken his Evidences, and put him upon true Acts of Humiliation and Repentance; but it cannot annul his Justi∣fication. And therefore set not your own Du∣ties and Graces, but the Death and Satisfacti∣on of Christ, in opposition to all Charges that may be brought against you, either from the Law, Satan, or Conscience. Rom. 8.34. Who is he that condemneth? 'Tis Christ that died. Be as

holy and heavenly as you can; but live only upon Christ by Faith, for Pardon, Perseverance, and Eternal Life.

Notes

• Being not above 12 Pence price; and of admi∣rable Use to principle Christians against Popish Er∣rors.
• Reason against Railing, pag. 8. Whitehead's Append. 27. 28. Smith Collect. 56. Fox's Myst. 10. 23. 131. Quakerism no Popery, 44 ad 57.