2d. Forensically, that is, that the demands of the law as a condition of life are fully satisfied with regard to him, Acts xiii., 39; Kom. v., 1, 9; viii., 30-33; 1 Cor.vi., 11; Gal. ii. 16; iii., 11.
3. How can it be proved that the word ducaioco is used in a
APPLICATION OF KEDEMPTION. 383
forensic sense ivhen the Scriptures use it with reference to the justification of sinners lender the gospel f
1st. In many instances it can bear no other sense. The un- godly are said to be justified without the deeds of the law, by the blood of Christ, by faith, freely, and of grace, through the agency of an advocate, by means of a satisfaction and of imputed right- eousness, Rom. hi., 20-28 ; iv., 5-7 ; v., 1 ; Gal. ii., 16 ; iii., 11 ; v., 4 ; 1 John ii., 2.
2d. It is used as the contrary of condemnation, Rom. viii., 33, 34.
3d. The same idea is conveyed in many equivalent and inter- changeable expressions, John iii., 18 ; v., 24 ; Rom. iv., 6, 7 ; 2 Cor. v., 19.
4th. If it does not bear this meaning, there is no distinction between justification and sanctification.* — Turrettin, L. XVI., Qusestio 1.
4. What is the usage of the term SitcaioovvT], righteousness, and of the phrase " righteousness of God" in the New Testa- ment ?
The term "just" is concrete, designating the person who is perfectly conformed to the law, or in respect to whom all the de- mands of the law are completely satisfied. The term " righteous- ness," on the other hand, is abstract, designating that quality or that obedience or suffering which satisfies the demands of the law, and which constitutes the ground upon which justification proceeds.
Consequently, it sometimes signifies, 1st, holiness of charac- ter, Matt, v., 6 ; Rom vi, 13 ; 2d, that perfect conformity to the law in person and life which was the original ground of justifica- tion under the covenant of works, Rom. x., 3, 5 ; Phil, iii., 9 ; Titus iii., 5; 3d, the vicarious obedience and sufferings of Christ our substitute, which he wrought in our behalf, and which, when im- puted to us, becomes our righteousness, or the ground of our justi- fication, Rom. iv., 6 ; x., 4 ; 1 Cor. i., 30 ; which is received and appropriated by us through faith, Rom. iii., 22; iv., 11; x., 5-10; Gal. ii., 21 ; Heb. xi., 7.
The phrase, " righteousness of God," occurs in Matt, vi., 33 ;
384 JUSTIFICATION.
Kom. i., 17 ; iii., 5, 21, 22, 25, 26 ; x., 3 ; 2 Cor. v., 21 ; Phil, iii., 9 ; James i., 20 ; 2 Pet. i., 1. It evidently means that per- fect righteousness or satisfaction to the whole law, precept, and penalty alike, which God provides, and which God will accept, in contrast to our own imperfect services or self-inflicted pen- ances, which God will reject, if offered as a ground of justifi- cation.
5. What is the usage of the term dutaiuotg, justification, in the
New Testament ?
It occurs only in Eom. iv., 25 ; v., 16, 18. It signifies that relation to the law into which we are brought in consequence of the righteousness of Christ being made legally ours. We are absolved from all liability to the penalty, and the rewards prom- ised to obedience are declared to belong to us.
6. Define justification in its gospel sense.
God, as sovereign, elected his chosen people, and gave them to his Son in the covenant of grace, and as sovereign he executes that covenant when he makes the righteousness of Christ theirs by imputation. Justification, on the other hand, is a judicial act of God proceeding upon that sovereign imputation, declaring the law to be perfectly satisfied in respect to us. This involves, 1st, pardon ; 2d, restoration to divine favor, as those with regard to whom all the promises conditioned upon obedience to the com- mands of the law accrue. It is most strictly legal, although he sovereignly admits and credits to us a vicarious righteousness, since this vicarious righteousness is precisely in all respects what the law demands, and that by which the law is fulfilled. — See below, question 2.9.
7. What does the law require in order to the justification of a sinner ?
The law consists essentially of a rule of duty, and of a penalty attached to take effect in case of disobedience. In the case of the sinner, therefore, who has already incurred the pen- alty, the law demands that, besides the rendering of perfect obedience, the penalty also should be suffered, Eom. x., 5 ; Gal. iii., 10-13.
APPLICATION OF REDEMPTION. 385
8. Prove that ivories can not be the ground of a sinner' s justi- fication. *•
Paul repeatedly asserts this, (G-al. ii., 16,) and declares that we are not justified by our own righteousness, which comes by obedi- ence to the law, Phil, iii., 9. He also proves the same by several arguments —
1st. The law demands perfect obedience. All works not per- fect, therefore, lead to condemnation, and no act of obedience at one time can atone for disobedience at another, Gal. iii., 10, 21 ; v., 3.