Q. 2. What, then, is our justification or righteousness before God?
A. The gracious, free act^ of God, imputing the righteousness of Christ to a believing sinner, and for that speaking peace unto his conscience, in the pardon of his sin, — pronouncing him to be just and accepted before him, — Gen. xv. 6; Acts xiii. 38, 39; Luke xviii. 14; Rom. iii. 24, 26, 28, iv. 4-8; Gal. ii. 16.
Q. 3. Are we not, then, righteous before God by our own works?
A. No ; for of themselves they can neither satisfy his justice, fulfil his law, nor endure his trial. — Ps. cxxx. 3, 4, cxliii. 2 ; Isa, Ixiv. 6 ; Luke xvii, 10.
CHAP. XX. — Of Sanctification.
Q. 1. Is there nothing, then, required of us but faith only?
A. Yes; "repentance, and ''holiness or new obedience. — "Acts XX. 21; Matt. iii. 2; Luke xiii. 3.— •'2 Tim. ii. 19; 1 Thess. iv. 7; Heb. xii 14.
Q. 2. What is repentance?
A, Godly "sorrow for every known ^' sin committed against God,
' Legal and evangelical justification differ; first, on the part of the persons to be justified, — the one requiring a person legally and perfectly righteous, — the other a believing sinner; secondly, on the part of God, who in the one is a severe, righteous judge, — in the other, a merciful, reconciled Father; thirdly, in the sentence, which in the one acquitteth, as having done nothing amiss, — in the other, as having all amiss pardoned.
2 Repentance includeth, first, alteration of the mind into a hatred of sin, before loved; secondly, sorrow of the affections for sin committed; thirdly, change of the actions arising from both.
^ Repentance is either legal, servile, and terrifying, from the spirit of bondage; or evangelical, filial, and comforting, from the spirit of free grace and liberty, which only is available.
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'' with a firm purpose of heart to cleave unto him for the future, ' in the kilHng of sin, the quickening of all graces, to walk before him in newness of life.— "2 Cor. vii. 9-11; Acts ii. 37; Ps. li. 17.— "Ps. xxxiv. 14; Isa. i. 16, 17; Ezek. xviii. 27, 28; Acts xiv. 15. — "Eph. iv. 21-24; Kom. vi. 12, 13, 18, 19, viii. 1; 2 Cor. v. 17; Gal. vi. 15.
Q. 8. Can we do this of ourselves ?
A. No ; it is a special gift and grace of God, which he bestoweth on whom he pleaseth. — Lev. xx. 8; Deut. xxx. 6; Ezek. xi. 19, 20; 2 Tim. ii. 25; Acts xi. 18.
Q. 4. Wherein doth the being of true repentance consist, without which it is not acceptable ?
A. In its^ perforaiance according to the Gospel rule, vnth faith and assured hope of divine mercy. — Ps. li. ; 1 John ii. 1 , 2 ; 2 Cor. vii. 10, 11 ; Acts ii. 38; Matt. xxvi. 75.
Q. 5. What is that holiness which is required of us ?
A. That * universal,^ ^ sincere obedience to the whole will of God, '' in oiu' hearts, minds, wills, and actions, " whereby we are in some measure made conformable to Christ, our head. — ^ Ps. cxix. 9 ; 1 Sam. XV. 22; John xiv. 15; Rom_. vi. 19; Heb. xii. 14; Tit. ii. 12; 2 Pet. i. 5-7 ; Isa. i. 1 6, 1 7. — " 1 Chron. xxviii. 9 ; Deut. vi. 5 ; Matt. xxii. 37.— "Rom. viii. 29; 1 Cor. xi. 1; Eph. ii. 21; Col. iii. 1-3; 2 Tim. ii. 11, 12.
Q. 6. Is this holiness or obedience in us perfect?
A. Yes, *in respect ■* of all the parts of it, but ''not in respect of the degrees wherein God requires it. — ' 2 Kings xx. 3 ; Job i. 1 ; Matt. V. 48; Luke L 6; 2 Cor. vii. 1; Eph. iv. 24; Tit. ii. 12.— "Isa. Ixiv. 6; Ps. cxxx. 3; Exod. xxviii. 38; Phil. iii. 12.
Q. 7. Will God accept of that obedience luhich falls so short of what he requireth?
A. Yes, from them^ whose persons he accepteth and justifieth freely in Jesais Christ. — Rom. xii. 1; Phil. iv. 18; Heb. xiii. 16; 1 John iii. 22 ; Eph. l 6.
Q. 8. What are the parts of this holiness t
A. * Internal, in the quickening of all graces, purging all sins ; •"and external, in fervent and frequent prayers, alms, and all manner of righteousness. — *Heb. ix. 14; Eph. iii. 16, 17; Rom. ii. 29, vi. 12. —"Matt. V. 20; Rom. viii. 1, 2; Epk iv. 22, 23; Tit. ii. 12. Parti- cular precepts are innumerable.
' Evi ry pait of Popish repentarce— viz., coiitiition, confession, and satisfiic- tion— was performed by Judas.
^ All faith and profession, without this holiness, is vain and of no effect.
^ True faith can no more be without true holiness than true fire without heat.
* Merit of works in unprofitable servants, no way able to do their duty, is a Popish miracle.
* In Christ are our persons accepted freely, and for him our obedience.
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Q. 9. May not others perform these duties acceptably, as well as those that believe?
A. No;^ all their performances in this kind are but abominable sins before the Lord. — Prov. xv. 8; John ix. 31 ; Tit. i. 15; Heb. xl 6.