^ Rom. viii. 33. lyKoKiaei, signifies in jus vocare, or call unto the law. It is a law- custom to clear men by proclamation. If one hath been indicted at the Assizes, and no bill brought in against him, there is an ' Oh yes' made, if any have anything to say against the prisoner at the bar, let him come forth, since he stands upon his freedom. The application is easy.
THE IMPUTATION OF CHKIST's RIGHTEOUSNESS. 241
and of no force. The consideration of which should arm us and com- fort us and strengthen us against all terrors of conscience, guilt of sin, accusation of the law, and cruelty of Satan ; inasmuch as these either dare not appear before God to accuse us or charge us ; or if they do, it is but lost labour. Ambrose gives the sense thus. None can or dare retract the judgment of God ; for he confidently provoketh all adver- saries, if they dare come forth to accuse ; not that there is no cause, but because God hath justified. ' It is God that justifieth,' therefore it is in vain to accuse them ; and ' it is God that justifieth them : ' if God doth it none can reverse it, for there are none that are equal with God. Let all the accusations, which shall come in against thee, from one hand or another, be true or false, they shall never hurt thee ; for he from whom there is no appeal, hath fully acquitted thee, and there- fore no accusation can endanger thy peace. Ah ! what a strong cordial would this be to aU the people of God, if they would but live in the power of this glorious truth, that it is ' God that justifies them,' and that there lies no accusations in the court of heaven against them ! The great reason why many poor Christians are under so many dejec- tions, despondencies, and perplexities, is because they drink no more of this water of life, ' It is God that justifieth.' Did Christians live more upon this breast, ' It is God that justifieth,' they would be no more like Pharaoh's lean kine, but would be fat and flourishing, Gen. xli. 1-3. Did they but draw more out of this well of salvation, ' It is God that justifieth,' how would their spirits revive, and a new life rise up in them, as did in the dead child, by the prophet Elisha's applying himself to it, 2 Kings iv. 34-37. The imputed righteousness of Christ is a real, sure, and solid foundation, upon which a believer may safely build his peace, joy, and everlasting rest ; yea, it will help him to glory in tribulations, and to triumph over all adversities ; Rom. V. 1-3 ; Isa. xlv. 24, ' Surely, shall one say, in the Lord I have righteousness and strength.' That which is the greatest terror in the world to unbelievers, is the strongest ground of comfort to believers ; that is the justice and wrath of God against sin. Look how it was when the angel appeared at the resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ, ' The keepers were afi'righted, and became as dead men ;' but it was said to the women, * Fear not ye, for ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, that was crucified,' Mat. xxviii. 4, 5 : so it is much more in this case. When God's justice is powerfully manifested, the sinners of Sion and the world are afraid and terrified, Isa. xxxiii. 14. But yet, poor be- lievers, seek for Christ who was crucified ; ye need not fear anything ; yea, you may be wonderfully cheered at this, and it is your greatest comfort that you have to deal with this just God, who hath already received satisfaction for your sins. It is observable that the saints triumph in the justice and judgments of God, that are most ter- rible to the enemies of God, in that which is the substance of the song of Moses and the Lamb, Rev. xv. 3-5 : so in that, Luke xxi. 28, where the day of judgment is described, say some, and that in it, ' there shall be distress of nations, and men's hearts failing them for fear ' — viz., of the justice and wrath of God. Why so ? It is for ' looking after those things that are to come upon the earth ; for the powers of the earth shall be shaken,' &c. ' But when these things
NINE STRONG CONSOLATIONS THAT FLOW FROM