And this greatly strengtheneth the argument in whose vindication we are engaged ; for we being sinners, we were obnoxious both unto the command and curse of the law. Both must be answered, or we cannot be justified. And as the Lord Christ could not by his most perfect obedience satisfy the curse of the law, " Dying thou slialt die ;" so by the utmost of his suffering he could not fulfil the com- mand of the law, " Do this, and live." Passion, as passion, is not obedience, — though there may be obedience in suffering, as there was in that of Christ unto the height. Wherefore, as we plead that the death of Christ is imputed unto us for our justification, so we deny that it is imputed unto us for our righteousness. For by the imputation of the sufferings of Christ our sins are remitted or par- doned, and we are delivered from the curse of the law, which he underwent ; but we are not thence esteemed just or righteous, which we cannot be without respect unto the fulfilling of the commands of the law, or the obedience by it required. The whole matter is ex- cellently expressed by Grotius in the words before alleged : " Cum duo nobis peperisse Christum dixerimus, impunitatem et preemium, illud satisfaction!, hoc merito Christi distincte tribuit vetus ecclesia. Satisfactio consistit in meritorum translatione, meritum in perfectis- simte obedientia3 pro nobis prsestitiee imputatione."
(4.) The objection mentioned proceeds also on this supposition, that 'pardon of sin gives title urdo eternal blessedness in the enjoy- ftient of God ; for justification doth so, and, according to the authors of tliis opinion, no other righteousness is required thereunto but pardon of sin. That justification doth give right and title unto adoption, acceptation with God, and the heavenly inheritance, I sup- pose will not be denied, and it hath been proved already. Pardon of sin depends solely on the death or suffering of Christ : " In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, accord- ing to the riches of his grace," Eph. i. 7. But suffering for punish- ment gives right and title unto nothing, only satisfies for something; nor doth it deserve any reward : it is nowhere said, " Suffer this, and live," but " Do this, and live."
THE IMPUTATION OF CHRIST's OBEDIENCE. 2G7
These things, I confess, are inseparably connected in the ordinance, appointment, and covenant of God. Whosoever hath his sins par- doned is accepted with God, hath right unto eternal blessedness. These things are inseparable; but they are not one and the same. And by reason of their inseparable relation are they so put together by the apostle, Rom. iv. 6-8, " Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works : Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered : blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." It is the imputation of righteousness that gives right unto blessedness ; but pardon of sin is inseparable from it, and an effect of it, both being opposed unto justification by works, or an internal righteousness of our own. But it is one thing to be freed from being liable unto eternal death, and another to have right and title unto a blessed and eternal life. It is one thing to be redeemed from under the law, — that is, the curse of it ; another, to receive the adoption of sons ; — one thing to be freed from the curse ; another, to have the blessing of Abraham come upon us: as the apostle distin- gxiisheth these things. Gal. iiL 13, 14, iv. 4, 5 ; and so doth our Lord Jesus Christ, Acts xxvi. 18, " That they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance " (a lot and right to the inheritance) " amongst them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." "Apsc/s a/xapriZv, which we have by faith in Christ, is only a dismission of sin from being pleadable unto our condemnation ; on which account " there is no condemnation unto them that are in Christ Jesus." But a right and title unto glory, or the heavenly inheritance, it giveth not. Can it be supposed that all the great and glorious effects of present grace and future blessedness should follow necessarily on, and be the effect of, mere pardon of sin? Can we not be pardoned but we must thereby of necessity be made sons, hefrs of God, and co-heirs with Christ?
Pardon of sin is in God, with respect unto the sinner, a free, gra- tuitous act : " Forgiveness of sin through the riches of his gxace." But with respect unto the satisfaction of Christ, it is an act in judgment. For on the consideration thereof, as imputed unto him, doth God absolve and acquit the sinner upon his trial. But pardon on a juri- dical trial, on what consideration soever it be gi'anted, gives no right nor title unto any favour, benefit, or privilege, but only mere deliver- ance. It is one thing to be acquitted before the throne of a king of crimes laid unto the charge of any man, which may be done by clemency, or on other considerations ; another to be made his son by adoption, and heir unto his kingdom.