2. But there seems to be more of reality and difficulty in what is pleaded concerning the continuation of our justification ; for those that are freely justified are continued in that state until they are glorified. By justification they are really changed into a new spiri- tual state and condition, and have a new relation given them unto God and Christ, unto the law and the gospel. And it is inquired what it is whereon their continuation in this state doth on their part depend ; or what is required of them that they may be justified unto the end. And this, as some say, is not faith alone, but also the ivorks of sincere obedience. And none can deny but that they are required of all them that are justified, whilst they continue in a state of justi- fication on this side glory, which next and immediately ensues there- unto; but whether, upon our justification at first before God, faith be immediately dismissed from its place and ofiice, and its work be given over unto works, so as that the continuation of our justifica- tion should depend on our own personal obedience, and not on the renewed application of faith unto Christ and his righteousness, is worth our inquiry. Only, I desire the reader to observe, that whereas the necessity of owning a personal obedience in justified persons is on all hands absolutely agreed, the seeming difference that is herein concerns not the substance of the doctrine of justification, but the manner of expressing our conceptions concerning the order of the disposition of God's grace, and our own duty unto edification ; wherein I shall use my own hberty, as it is meet others should do theirs. And I shall offer my thoughts hereunto in the ensuing observa- tions : —
(1.) Justification is such a work as is at once comjjleted in all the causes and the whole effect of it, though not as unto the full jDosses- sion of all that it gives right and title unto. For, — [1.] All our sins, past, present, and to come, were at once imputed unto and laid upon Jesus Christ; in what sense we shall afterward inquire. "He was
144? ON JUFTIFICATION,
wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him ; and with his stripes are we healed. All we like sheep have gone astray ; we have turned every one to his own way : and the Lord hath made to meet on him the iniquities of us all," Isa. liii. 5, 6. " Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree," 1 Pet. ii. 24. The assertions being in- definite, without exception or limitation, are equivalent unto univer- sals. All our sins were on him, he bare them all at once; and therefore, once died for all. [2.] He did, therefore, at once " finish transgression, make an end of sin, make reconciliation for iniquity, and bring in everlasting righteousness," Dan. ix. 24. At once he expiated all our sins; for "by himself he purged our sins," and then " sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high," Heb. i. o. And "we are sanctified," or dedicated unto God, "through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all ; for by one offering he hath perfected" (consummated, completed, as unto their spiritual state) ''them that are sanctified," Heb. x. 10, 14. He never will do more than he hath actually done already, for the exjjiation of all our sins from first to last; " for there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin." I do not say that hereupon our justification is complete, but only, that the meri- torious procuring cause of it was at once completed, and is never to be renewed or repeated any more ; all the inquiry is concerning the renewed application of it unto our souls and consciences, whether that be by faith alone, or by the luorhs of righteousness which we do. [3.] By our actual believing with justifying faith, believing on Christ, or his name, we do receive him; and thereby, on our first justification, become the " sons of God," John i. 12; that is, " heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ," Rom. viii. 17. Hereby we have a right unto, and an interest in, all the benefits of his mediation; which is to be at once completely justified. For " in him we are complete," Col. ii. 10; for by the faith that is in him we do "receive the for- giveness of sins," and a lot or "inheritance among all them that are sanctified," Acts xxvi. 18; being immediately "justified from all things, from which we could not be justified by the law," Acts xiii. 8.9; yea, God thereon " blesseth us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ," Eph. i. 3. All these things are absolutely insepar- able from our first believing in him ; and therefore our justification is at once complete. In particular, — [4.] On our believing, all our sins are forgiven. "He hath quickened you together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses," Col. ii. 13-15. For " in him we have re- demption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according unto the riches of his grace," Eph. i. 7 ; which one place obviates all the petulant exceptions of some against the consistency of the free grace of God in the pardon of sins, and the satisfaction of Christ in