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portance of this doctrine. Judge of it by the text now before us. The apoftle fpeaks of it, as fufficient to filence every charge, to free from all condemnation, and infeparably connected with eternal life. For those whom God juftifies he will alfo glorify *. Though volumes have been written upon the fubject, I think it may be explained in few words. Every one muft give an account of himfelf to God; and the judgment will proceed according to the tenor of his holy word. By the law, no flesh can be justified, for all have finned †. But they who believe the gofpel will be justified from all things ‡, for which the law would otherwife condemn them. And, as they who believe not are condemned already; fo believers are already juftified by faith, and have peace with God, through our Lord Jefus Chrift §, in the prefent life. They plead guilty to the charge of the law. But they can likewife plead, that they renounce all hope and righteoufnefs in themselves, and upon the warrant of the word of promife, put their whole trust in Jefus, as the end of the law for righteous+ Acts xiii. 39.

*Rom. viii. 30.

#John iii. 18.

† Rom. iii. 19, 20. $ Rom. v. I.

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nefs to every one that believeth *. And this plea is accepted. To him that worketh not, but believeth on him who juftifieth the ungodly, bis faith is counted for righteousness †, and his fins are no more remembered against him ‡.

This juftification, in its own nature, is authoritative, complete, and final. It is an act of God's mercy, which, because founded upon the mediation of Jefus, may, with no less truth, be styled an act of his juftice, whereby the believing finner, is delivered from the curfe of the law, from the guilt and power of fin, and is tranflated into the kingdom of bis dear Son . It includes the pardon of all fin, and admiffion to the state of a child of God-It is a paffing from death unto life §. By faith of the operation of God, the finner once afar off, is brought nigh, is accepted in the Beloved, and becomes one with him, as the branch is united to the vine, and the members with the head **. The fanctification of a believer is imperfect and gradual, but his juftification, in this fenfe, from the moment when he begins to live a life of faith in the Son of God, is perfect and incapable

*Rom. x. 4. Col. i. 13.

+ Rom. iv. 4. § John v. 24.

+ Heb. viii. 12. ** John xv. 15.

of

of increase. The principle of life, in a new born infant, and the privilege dependent upon his birth (if he be the heir of a great family,) are the fame from the first hour, as at any future time. He is stronger as he grows up to the ftature of a man, but is not more alive; he grows up likewife more into the knowledge and enjoyment of his privileges, but his right to them admits of no augmentation; for he derives it not from his years, or his stature, or his powers, but from the relation in which he ftands, as a child to his father. Thus it is with those who are born from above. They are, immediately, the children and heirs of God, though, for a time, like minors, while under age, they may feem to differ but little from fervants *, and it doth not yet appear what they fhall be.

But though juftification, in the fight of God, be connected with the reality of faith, the comfortable perception of it in our own confciences, is proportionable to the degree of faith. In young converts, therefore, it is ufually weak. They are well fatisfied that Jefus is the only Saviour, and they have no

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doubt of his ability and fufficiency in that character, in favour of thofe who put their truft in him. But they are fufpicious and jealous of themselves; they are apprehensive of fomething fingular in their own case, which may juftly exclude them from his mercy; or they fear that they do not believe aright. But the weakest believer is a child of God; and true faith, though at first like a grain of muftard-feed, is interested in all the promises of the gospel. If it be true, it will grow *, it will attain to a more fimple dependance upon its great object, and will work its way through a thousand doubts and fears (which, for a feafon, are not without their ufe) till at length, the weak Christian becomes ftrong in faith, ftrong in the Lord, and is enabled to fay, I know whom I have believed! Who fhall lay any thing to my charge? Who fhall condemn? It is God who juftifieth. It is Chrift who died for me and rofe again.

But especially at the great day, the Lord the Judge, fhall ratify their juftification, publickly before affembled worlds. Then

* Mark iv. 26.

+ 2 Tim. i. 12.

every tongue that rifeth in judgment against them

shall be put to filence. Then Satan will be utterly confounded, and many who despised them on earth, will be astonished and fay-Thefe are they whofe lives we accounted madness, and their end to be without bonour! How are they numbered among the children of God †!

The right knowledge of this doctrine, is a fource of abiding joy; it likewise animates love, zeal, gratitude, and all the nobleft powers of the foul, and produces a habit of cheerful and fuccessful obedience to the whole will of God. But it may be, and too often is, misunderstood, and abused. If you receive it by divine teaching, it will fill you with thofe fruits of righteousness, which are by Jefus Chrift to the glory and praise of God. But if you learn it only from men and books, if you are content with the notion of it in your head,

powerful experience of it in will have a contrary effect.

instead of the

your heart, it

Such a lifelefs

form, even of the truth itself, will probably make you heady and high-minded,

* Ifa. liv. 17. + Wifdom v. 4, 5• B b 4

Phil. i. 11.

cen

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