JohnWesleyJustificationByFaith(textfromthe1872edition) http://www.ccel.org/ccel/wesley/sermons.v.v.html Tohimthatworkethnot,butbelievethonhimthatjustifieththeungodly,hisfaithiscountedfor righteousness. Romans4:5. 1.HowasinnermaybejustifiedbeforeGod,theLordandJudgeofall,isaquestionofnocommon importancetoeverychildofman.Itcontainsthefoundationofallourhope,inasmuchaswhileweare atenmitywithGod,therecanbenotruepeace,nosolidjoy,eitherintimeorineternity.Whatpeace cantherebe,whileourownheartcondemnsus;andmuchmore,Hethatisgreaterthanourheart,and knowethallthings?Whatsolidjoy,eitherinthisworldorthattocome,whilethewrathofGod abidethonus? 2.Andyethowlittlehaththisimportantquestionbeenunderstood!Whatconfusednotionshavemany hadconcerningit!Indeed,notonlyconfused,butoftenutterlyfalse;contrarytothetruth,aslightto darkness;notionsabsolutelyinconsistentwiththeoraclesofGod,andwiththewholeanalogyoffaith.

. Andhence,erringconcerningtheveryfoundation,theycouldnotpossiblybuildthereon;atleast,not gold,silver,orpreciousstones,whichwouldendurewhentriedasbyfire;butonlyhayandstubble, neitheracceptabletoGod,norprofitabletoman. 3.Inordertojustice,infarasinmelies,tothevastimportanceofthesubject,tosavethosethatseek thetruthinsincerityfromvainjanglingandstrifeofwords,tocleartheconfusednessofthoughtinto whichsomanyhavealreadybeenledthereby,andtogivethemtrueandjustconceptionsofthisgreat mysteryofgodliness,Ishallendeavourtoshow, First.Whatisthegeneralgroundofthiswholedoctrineofjustification. Secondly.Whatjustificationis. Thirdly.Whotheyarethatarejustified.And, Fourthly.Onwhattermstheyarejustified.I.Iam,First,toshow,whatisthegeneralgroundofthis wholedoctrineofjustification. 1.IntheimageofGodwasmanmade,holyashethatcreatedhimisholy;mercifulastheAuthorofallis merciful;perfectashisFatherinheavenisperfect.AsGodislove,soman,dwellinginlove,dweltin God,andGodinhim.Godmadehimtobeanimageofhisowneternity,anincorruptiblepictureofthe Godofglory.Hewasaccordinglypure,asGodispure,fromeveryspotofsin.Heknewnotevilinany kindordegree,butwasinwardlyandoutwardlysinlessandundefiled.HelovedtheLordhisGodwith allhisheart,andwithallhismind,andsoul,andstrength.

2.Tomanthusuprightandperfect,Godgaveaperfectlaw,towhichherequiredfullandperfect obedience.Herequiredfullobedienceineverypoint,andthistobeperformedwithoutany intermission,fromthemomentmanbecamealivingsoul,tillthetimeofhistrialshouldbeended.No allowancewasmadeforanyfallingshort:As,indeed,therewasnoneedofany;manbeingaltogether equaltothetaskassigned,andthoroughlyfurnishedforeverygoodwordandwork. 3.Totheentirelawoflovewhichwaswritteninhisheart,(againstwhich,perhaps,hecouldnotsin directly,)itseemedgoodtothesovereignwisdomofGodtosuperaddonepositivelaw:Thoushaltnot eatofthefruitofthetreethatgrowethinthemidstofthegarden;annexingthatpenaltythereto,In thedaythatthoueatestthereof,thoushaltsurelydie. 4.Such,then,wasthestateofmaninParadise.Bythefree,unmeritedloveofGod,hewasholyand happy:Heknew,loved,enjoyedGod,whichis,insubstance,lifeeverlasting.Andinthislifeoflove,he wastocontinueforever,ifhecontinuedtoobeyGodinallthings;but,ifhedisobeyedhiminany,he wastoforfeitall.Inthatday,saidGod,thoushaltsurelydie. 5.MandiddisobeyGod.Heateofthetree,ofwhichGodcommandedhim,saying,Thoushaltnoteat ofit.AndinthatdayhewascondemnedbytherighteousjudgmentofGod.Thenalsothesentence whereofhewaswarnedbefore,begantotakeplaceuponhim.Forthemomenthetastedthatfruit,he died.Hissouldied,wasseparatedfromGod;separatefromwhomthesoulhasnomorelifethanthe bodyhaswhenseparatefromthesoul.Hisbody,likewise,becamecorruptibleandmortal;sothatdeath thentookholdonthisalso.Andbeingalreadydeadinspirit,deadtoGod,deadinsin,hehastenedonto deatheverlasting;tothedestructionbothofbodyandsoul,inthefirenevertobequenched 6.Thusbyonemansinenteredintotheworld,anddeathbysin.Andsodeathpasseduponallmen,as beingcontainedinhimwhowasthecommonfatherandrepresentativeofusall.Thus,throughthe offenceofone,allaredead,deadtoGod,deadinsin,dwellinginacorruptible,mortalbody,shortlyto bedissolved,andunderthesentenceofdeatheternal.Foras,byonemansdisobedience,allwere madesinners;so,bythatoffenceofone,judgmentcameuponallmentocondemnation.(Romansv. 12) 7.Inthisstatewewere,evenallmankind,whenGodsolovedtheworld,thathegavehisonlybegotten Son,totheendwemightnotperish,buthaveeverlastinglife.InthefullnessoftimehewasmadeMan, anothercommonHeadofmankind,asecondgeneralParentandRepresentativeofthewholehuman race.Andassuchitwasthatheboreourgriefs,theLordlayinguponhimtheiniquitiesofusall. Thenwashewoundedforourtransgressions,andbruisedforouriniquities.Hemadehissoulan offeringforsin:Hepouredouthisbloodforthetransgressors:Hebareoursinsinhisownbodyonthe tree,thatbyhisstripeswemightbehealed:Andbythatoneoblationofhimself,onceoffered,hehath redeemedmeandallmankind;havingtherebymadeafull,perfect,andsufficientsacrificeand satisfactionforthesinsofthewholeworld. 8.Inconsiderationofthis,thattheSonofGodhathtasteddeathforeveryman,Godhathnow reconciledtheworldtohimself,notimputingtothemtheirformertrespasses.Andthus,asbythe offenceofonejudgmentcameuponallmentocondemnation,evensobytherighteousnessofonethe

freegiftcameuponallmenuntojustification.Sothat,forthesakeofhiswellbelovedSon,ofwhathe hathdoneandsufferedforus,Godnowvouchsafes,ononeonlycondition,(whichhimselfalsoenables ustoperform,)bothtoremitthepunishmentduetooursins,toreinstateusinhisfavour,andto restoreourdeadsoulstospirituallife,astheearnestoflifeeternal. 9.This,therefore,isthegeneralgroundofthewholedoctrineofjustification.Bythesinofthefirst Adam,whowasnotonlythefather,butlikewisetherepresentative,ofusall,weallfellshortofthe favourofGod;weallbecamechildrenofwrath;or,astheApostleexpressesit,judgmentcameuponall mentocondemnation.Evenso,bythesacrificeforsinmadebytheSecondAdam,asthe Representativeofusall,Godissofarreconciledtoalltheworld,thathehathgiventhemanew covenant;theplainconditionwhereofbeingoncefulfilled,thereisnomorecondemnationforus,but wearejustifiedfreelybyhisgrace,throughtheredemptionthatisinJesusChrist. II.1.Butwhatisittobejustified?Whatisjustification?ThiswastheSecondthingwhichIproposed toshow.Anditisevident,fromwhathasbeenalreadyobserved,thatitisnotthebeingmadeactually justandrighteous.Thisissanctification;whichis,indeed,insomedegree,theimmediatefruitof justification,but,nevertheless,isadistinctgiftofGod,andofatotallydifferentnature.Theoneimplies whatGoddoesforusthroughhisSon;theother,whatheworksinusbyhisSpirit.Sothat,although somerareinstancesmaybefound,whereinthetermjustifiedorjustificationisusedinsowidea senseastoincludesanctificationalso;yet,ingeneraluse,theyaresufficientlydistinguishedfromeach other,bothbySt.Paulandtheotherinspiredwriters. 2.Neitheristhatfarfetchedconceit,thatjustificationistheclearingusfromaccusation,particularly thatofSatan,easilyprovablefromanycleartextofholywrit.Inthewholescripturalaccountofthis matter,asabovelaiddown,neitherthataccusernorhisaccusationappearstobeatalltakenin.Itcan notindeedbedenied,thatheistheaccuserofmen,emphaticallysocalled.Butitdoesinnowise appear,thatthegreatApostlehathanyreferencetothis,moreorless,inallhehathwrittentouching justification,eithertotheRomansortheGalatians. 3.Itisalsofareasiertotakeforgranted,thantoprovefromanyclearscripturetestimony,that justificationistheclearingusfromtheaccusationbroughtagainstusbythelaw:Atleastifthisforced, unnaturalwayofspeakingmeaneithermoreorlessthanthis,that,whereaswehavetransgressedthe lawofGod,andtherebydeservedthedamnationofhell,Goddoesnotinflictonthosewhoarejustified thepunishmentwhichtheyhaddeserved. 4.Leastofalldoesjustificationimply,thatGodisdeceivedinthosewhomhejustifies;thathethinks themtobewhat,infact,theyarenot;thatheaccountsthemtobeotherwisethantheyare.Itdoesby nomeansimply,thatGodjudgesconcerninguscontrarytotherealnatureofthings;thatheesteemsus betterthanwereallyare,orbelievesusrighteouswhenweareunrighteous.Surelyno.Thejudgmentof theallwiseGodisalwaysaccordingtotruth.Neithercaniteverconsistwithhisunerringwisdom,to thinkthatIaminnocent,tojudgethatIamrighteousorholy,becauseanotherisso.Hecannomore,in thismanner,confoundmewithChrist,thanwithDavidorAbraham.LetanymantowhomGodhath

givenunderstanding,weighthiswithoutprejudice;andhecannotbutperceive,thatsuchanotionof justificationisneitherreconcilabletoreasonnorScripture. 5.Theplainscripturalnotionofjustificationispardon,theforgivenessofsins.ItisthatactofGodthe Father,hereby,forthesakeofthepropitiationmadebythebloodofhisSon,heshowethforthhis righteousness(ormercy)bytheremissionofthesinsthatarepast.Thisistheeasy,naturalaccountof itgivenbySt.Paul,throughoutthiswholeepistle.Soheexplainsithimself,moreparticularlyinthisand inthefollowingchapter.Thus,inthenextversesbutonetothetext,Blessedarethey,saithhe, whoseiniquitiesareforgiven,andwhosesinsarecovered:BlessedisthemantowhomtheLordwill notimputesin.Tohimthatisjustifiedorforgiven,Godwillnotimputesintohiscondemnation.He willnotcondemnhimonthataccount,eitherinthisworldorinthatwhichistocome.Hissins,allhis pastsins,inthought,word,anddeed,arecovered,areblottedout,shallnotberememberedor mentionedagainsthim,anymorethaniftheyhadnotbeen.Godwillnotinflictonthatsinnerwhathe deservedtosuffer,becausetheSonofhislovehathsufferedforhim.Andfromthetimeweare acceptedthroughtheBeloved,reconciledtoGodthroughhisblood,heloves,andblesses,and watchesoverusforgood,evenasifwehadneversinned. IndeedtheApostleinoneplaceseemstoextendthemeaningofthewordmuchfarther,wherehesays, Notthehearersofthelaw,butthedoersofthelaw,shallbejustified.Hereheappearstoreferour justificationtothesentenceofthegreatday.AndsoourLordhimselfunquestionablydoth,whenhe says,Bythywordsthoushaltbejustified;provinghereby,thatforeveryidlewordmenshallspeak, theyshallgiveanaccountinthedayofjudgment.Butperhapswecanhardlyproduceanotherinstance ofSt.Paulsusingthewordinthatdistantsense.Inthegeneraltenorofhiswritings,itisevidenthedoth not;andleastofallinthetextbeforeus,whichundeniablyspeaks,notofthosewhohavealready finishedtheircourse,butofthosewhoarenowjustsettingout,justbeginningtoruntherace whichissetbeforethem. III.1.Butthisisthethirdthingwhichwastobeconsidered,namely,Whoaretheythatarejustified?And theApostletellsusexpressly,theungodly:He(thatis,God)justifieththeungodly;theungodlyof everykindanddegree;andnonebuttheungodly.Astheythatarerighteousneednorepentance,so theyneednoforgiveness.Itisonlysinnersthathaveanyoccasionforpardon:Itissinalonewhich admitsofbeingforgiven.Forgiveness,therefore,hasanimmediatereferencetosin,and,inthisrespect, tonothingelse.ItisourunrighteousnesstowhichthepardoningGodismerciful:Itisouriniquity whichherememberethnomore. 2.Thisseemsnottobeatallconsideredbythosewhosovehementlycontendthatamanmustbe sanctified,thatis,holy,beforehecanbejustified;especiallybysuchofthemasaffirm,thatuniversal holinessorobediencemustprecedejustification.(Unlesstheymeanthatjustificationatthelastday, whichiswhollyoutofthepresentquestion.)Sofarfromit,thattheverysuppositionisnotonlyflatly impossible,(forwherethereisnoloveofGod,thereisnoholiness,andthereisnoloveofGodbutfrom asenseofhislovingus,)butalsogrossly,intrinsicallyabsurd,contradictorytoitself.Foritisnotasaint butasinnerthatisforgiven,andunderthenotionofasinner.Godjustifiethnotthegodly,butthe ungodly;notthosethatareholyalready,buttheunholy.Uponwhatconditionhedoeththis,willbe

consideredquickly:butwhateveritis,itcannotbeholiness.Toassertthis,istosaytheLambofGod takesawayonlythosesinswhichweretakenawaybefore. 3.DoesthenthegoodShepherdseekandsaveonlythosethatarefoundalready?No:Heseeksand savesthatwhichislost.Hepardonsthosewhoneedhispardoningmercy.Hesavesfromtheguiltofsin, (and,atthesametime,fromthepower,)sinnersofeverykind,ofeverydegree:menwho,tillthen,were altogetherungodly;inwhomtheloveoftheFatherwasnot;and,consequently,inwhomdweltnogood thing,nogoodortrulyChristiantemper,butallsuchaswereevilandabominable,pride,anger,love oftheworld,thegenuinefruitsofthatcarnalmindwhichisenmityagainstGod. 4.Thesewhoaresick,theburdenofwhosesinsisintolerable,aretheythatneedaPhysician;thesewho areguilty,whogroanunderthewrathofGod,aretheythatneedapardon.Thesewhoarecondemned already,notonlybyGod,butalsobytheirownconscience,asbyathousandwitnesses,ofalltheir ungodliness,bothinthought,andword,andwork,cryaloudforHimthatjustifieththeungodly, throughtheredemptionthatisinJesus;theungodly,andhimthatworkethnot;thatworkethnot, beforeheisjustified,anythingthatisgood,thatistrulyvirtuousorholy,butonlyevilcontinually.Forhis heartisnecessarily,essentiallyevil,tilltheloveofGodisshedabroadtherein.Andwhilethetreeis corrupt,soarethefruits;foraneviltreecannotbringforthgoodfruit. 5.Ifitbeobjected,Nay,butaman,beforeheisjustified,mayfeedthehungry,orclothethenaked; andthesearegoodworks;theansweriseasy:Hemaydothese,evenbeforeheisjustified;andthese are,inonesense,goodworks;theyaregoodandprofitabletomen.Butitdoesnotfollow,thatthey are,strictlyspeaking,goodinthemselves,orgoodinthesightofGod.Alltrulygoodworks(tousethe wordsofourChurch)followafterjustification;andtheyarethereforegoodandacceptabletoGodin Christ,becausetheyspringoutofatrueandlivingfaith.Byaparityofreason,allworksdonebefore justificationarenotgood,intheChristiansense,forasmuchastheyspringnotoffaithinJesusChrist; (thoughfromsomekindoffaithinGodtheymayspring;)yea,rather,forthattheyarenotdoneasGod hathwilledandcommandedthemtobedone,wedoubtnot(howstrangesoeveritmayappearto some)buttheyhavethenatureofsin. 6.Perhapsthosewhodoubtofthishavenotdulyconsideredtheweightyreasonwhichishereassigned, whynoworksdonebeforejustificationcanbetrulyandproperlygood.Theargumentplainlyrunsthus: Noworksaregood,whicharenotdoneasGodhathwilledandcommandedthemtobedone. ButnoworksdonebeforejustificationaredoneasGodhathwilledandcommandedthemtobedone: Therefore,noworksdonebeforejustificationaregood. Thefirstpropositionisselfevident;andthesecond,thatnoworksdonebeforejustificationaredoneas Godhathwilledandcommandedthemtobedone,willappearequallyplainandundeniable,ifweonly consider,Godhathwilledandcommandedthatallourworksshouldbedoneincharity;(enagape) inlove,inthatlovetoGodwhichproduceslovetoallmankind.Butnoneofourworkscanbedonein

thislove,whiletheloveoftheFather(ofGodasourFather)isnotinus;andthislovecannotbeinustill wereceivetheSpiritofAdoption,cryingin,ourhearts,Abba,Father.If,therefore,Goddothnotjustify theungodly,andhimthat(inthissense)workethnot,thenhathChristdiedinvain;then, notwithstandinghisdeath,cannofleshlivingbejustified. IV.1.Butonwhatterms,then,ishejustifiedwhoisaltogetherungodly,andtillthattimeworketh not?ononealone;whichisfaith:hebelievethishimthatjustifieththeungodly.Andhethat believethisnotcondemned;yea,heispassedfromdeathuntolife.Fortherighteousness(ormercy) ofGodisbyfaithofJesusChristuntoallanduponallthemthatbelieve:WhomGodhathsetforthfora propitiation,throughfaithinhisblood;thathemightbejust,and(consistentlywithhisjustice)the JustifierofhimwhichbelievethinJesus:Thereforeweconcludethatamanisjustifiedbyfaithwithout thedeedsofthelaw;withoutpreviousobediencetothemorallaw,which,indeed,hecouldnot,till now,perform.Thatitisthemorallaw,andthatalone,whichishereintended,appearsevidentlyfrom thewordsthatfollow:Dowethenmakevoidthelawthroughfaith?Godforbid:Yea,weestablishthe law.Whatlawdoweestablishbyfaith?Nottherituallaw:NottheceremoniallawofMoses.Innowise; butthegreat,unchangeablelawoflove,theholyloveofGodandofourneighbour. 2.Faithingeneralisadivine,supernaturalelegchos,evidenceorconviction,ofthingsnotseen, notdiscoverablebyourbodilysenses,asbeingeitherpast,future,orspiritual.Justifyingfaithimplies, notonlyadivineevidenceorconvictionthatGodwasinChrist,reconcilingtheworlduntohimself;but asuretrustandconfidencethatChristdiedformysins,thathelovedme,andgavehimselffor me.Andatwhattimesoeverasinnerthusbelieves,beitinearlychildhood,inthestrengthofhis years,orwhenheisoldandhoaryhaired,Godjustifieththatungodlyone:God,forthesakeofhisSon, pardonethandabsolvethhim,whohadinhim,tillthen,nogoodthing.Repentance,indeed,Godhad givenhimbefore;butthatrepentancewasneithermorenorlessthanadeepsenseofthewantofall good,andthepresenceofallevil.Andwhatevergoodhehath,ordoeth,fromthathourwhenhefirst believesinGodthroughChrist,faithdoesnotfind,butbring.Thisisthefruitoffaith.Firstthetreeis good,andthenthefruitisgoodalso. 3.IcannotdescribethenatureofthisfaithbetterthaninthewordsofourownChurch:Theonly instrumentofsalvation(whereofjustificationisonebranch)isfaith;thatis,asuretrustand confidencethatGodbothhathandwillforgiveoursins,thathehathacceptedusagainintoHisfavour, forthemeritsofChristsdeathandpassion.Butherewemusttakeheedthatwedonothaltwith God,throughaninconstant,waveringfaith:Peter,comingtoChristuponthewater,becausehefainted infaith,wasindangerofdrowning;sowe,ifwebegintowaverordoubt,itistobefearedthatweshall sinkasPeterdid,notintothewater,butintothebottomlesspitofhellfire.(SecondSermononthe Passion) Therefore,haveasureandconstantfaith,notonlythatthedeathofChristisavailableforalltheworld, butthathehathmadeafullandsufficientsacrificeforthee,aperfectcleansingofthysins,sothat thoumayestsay,withtheApostle,helovedthee,andgavehimselfforthee.Forthisistomake Christthineown,andtoapplyhismeritsuntothyself.(SermonontheSacrament,FirstPart)

4.Byaffirmingthatthisfaithisthetermorconditionofjustification,Imean,First,thatthereisno justificationwithoutit.Hethatbelievethnotiscondemnedalready;andsolongashebelievethnot, thatcondemnationcannotberemoved,butthewrathofGodabidethonhim.Asthereisnoother namegivenunderheaven,thanthatofJesusofNazareth,noothermeritwherebyacondemnedsinner caneverbesavedfromtheguiltofsin;sothereisnootherwayofobtainingashareinhismerit,than byfaithinhisname.Sothataslongaswearewithoutthisfaith,wearestrangerstothecovenantof promise,wearealiensfromthecommonwealthofIsrael,andwithoutGodintheworld.Whatsoever virtues(socalled)amanmayhave,Ispeakofthoseuntowhomthegospelispreached;forwhat haveItodotojudgethemthatarewithout?whatsoevergoodworks(soaccounted)hemaydo,it profitethnot;heisstillachildofwrath,stillunderthecurse,tillhebelievesinJesus. 5.Faith,therefore,isthenecessaryconditionofjustification;yea,andtheonlynecessarycondition thereof.ThisistheSecondpointcarefullytobeobserved;that,theverymomentGodgivethfaith(forit isthegiftofGod)totheungodlythatworkethnot,thatfaithiscountedtohimforrighteousness. Hehathnorighteousnessatall,antecedenttothis,notsomuchasnegativerighteousness,or innocence.Butfaithisimputedtohimforrighteousness,theverymomentthathebelieveth.Notthat God(aswasobservedbefore)thinkethhimtobewhatheisnot.ButashemadeChristtobesinfor us,thatis,treatedhimasasinner,punishinghimforoursins;sohecountethusrighteous,fromthe timewebelieveinhim:Thatis,hedothnotpunishusforoursins;yea,treatsusasthoughweare guiltlessandrighteous. 6.Surelythedifficultyofassentingtothisproposition,thatfaithistheonlyconditionofjustification, mustarisefromnotunderstandingit.Wemeantherebythusmuch,thatitistheonlythingwithout whichnoneisjustified;theonlythingthatisimmediately,indispensably,absolutelyrequisiteinorderto pardon.As,ontheonehand,thoughamanshouldhaveeverythingelsewithoutfaith,yethecannotbe justified;so,ontheother,thoughhebesupposedtowanteverythingelse,yetifhehathfaith,he cannotbutbejustified.Forsupposeasinnerofanykindordegree,inafullsenseofhistotal ungodliness,ofhisutterinabilitytothink,speak,ordogood,andhisabsolutemeetnessforhellfire; suppose,Isay,thissinner,helplessandhopeless,castshimselfwhollyonthemercyofGodinChrist, (whichindeedhecannotdobutbythegraceofGod,)whocandoubtbutheisforgiveninthatmoment? Whowillaffirmthatanymoreisindispensablyrequiredbeforethatsinnercanbejustified? Now,ifthereeverwasonesuchinstancefromthebeginningoftheworld,(andhavetherenotbeen, andaretherenot,tenthousandtimestenthousand?)itplainlyfollows,thatfaithis,intheabovesense, thesoleconditionofjustification. 7.Itdoesnotbecomepoor,guilty,sinfulworms,whoreceivewhatsoeverblessingstheyenjoy,(fromthe leastdropofwaterthatcoolsourtongue,totheimmenserichesofgloryineternity,)ofgrace,ofmere favour,andnotofdebt,toaskofGodthereasonsofhisconduct.ItisnotmeetforustocallHimin questionwhogivethaccounttononeofhisways;todemand,Whydidstthoumakefaiththe condition,theonlycondition,ofjustification?Whereforedidstthoudecree,Hethatbelieveth,andhe only,shallbesaved?ThisistheverypointonwhichSt.Paulsostronglyinsistsintheninthchapterof thisEpistle,viz.,Thatthetermsofpardonandacceptancemustdepend,notonus,butonhimthat

callethus;thatthereisnounrighteousnesswithGod,infixinghisownterms,notaccordingtoours, buthisowngoodpleasure;whomayjustlysay,IwillhavemercyonwhomIwillhavemercy;namely, onhimwhobelievethinJesus.Sothenitisnotofhimthatwilleth,norofhimthatrunneth,tochoose theconditiononwhichheshallfindacceptance;butofGodthatshowethmercy;thatacceptethnone atall,butofhisownfreelove,hisunmeritedgoodness.Thereforehathhemercyonwhomhewillhave mercy,viz.,onthosewhobelieveontheSonofhislove;andwhomhewill,thatis,thosewhobelieve not,hehardeneth,leavesatlasttothehardnessoftheirhearts. 8.Onereason,however,wemayhumblyconceive,ofGodsfixingthisconditionofjustification,Ifthou believestintheLordJesusChrist,thoushaltbesaved,wastohidepridefromman.Pridehadalready destroyedtheveryangelsofGod,hadcastdownathirdpartofthestarsofheaven.Itwaslikewisein greatmeasureowingtothis,whenthetemptersaid,Yeshallbeasgods,thatAdamfellfromhisown steadfastness,andbroughtsinanddeathintotheworld.Itwasthereforeaninstanceofwisdomworthy ofGod,toappointsuchaconditionofreconciliationforhimandallhisposterityasmighteffectually humble,mightabasethemtothedust.Andsuchisfaith.Itispeculiarlyfittedforthisend:Forhethat comethuntoGodbythisfaith,mustfixhiseyesinglyonhisownwickedness,onhisguiltand helplessness,withouthavingtheleastregardtoanysupposedgoodinhimself,toanyvirtueor righteousnesswhatsoever.Hemustcomeasameresinner,inwardlyandoutwardly,selfdestroyed andselfcondemned,bringingnothingtoGodbutungodlinessonly,pleadingnothingofhisownbutsin andmisery.Thusitis,andthusalone,whenhismouthisstopped,andhestandsutterlyguilty beforeGod,thathecanlookuntoJesus,asthewholeandsolePropitiationforhissins.Thusonly canhebefoundinhim,andreceivetherighteousnesswhichisofGodbyfaith. 9.Thouungodlyone,whohearestorreadestthesewords!thouvile,helpless,miserablesinner!Icharge theebeforeGod,theJudgeofall,gostraightuntohim,withallthyungodliness.Takeheedthoudestroy notthyownsoulbypleadingthyrighteousness,moreorless.Goasaltogetherungodly,guilty,lost, destroyed,deservinganddroppingintohell;andthoushaltthenfindfavourinhissight,andknowthat hejustifieththeungodly.Assuchthoushaltbebroughtuntothebloodofsprinkling,asanundone, helpless,damnedsinner.ThuslookuntoJesus!ThereistheLambofGod,whotakethawaythy sins!Pleadthounoworks,norighteousnessofthineown!nohumility,contrition,sincerity!Innowise. Thatwere,inverydeed,todenytheLordthatboughtthee.No:Pleadthou,singly,thebloodofthe covenant,theransompaidforthyproud,stubborn,sinfulsoul.Whoartthou,thatnowseestandfeelest boththineinwardandoutwardungodliness?Thouarttheman!IwanttheeformyLord!Ichallenge theeforachildofGodbyfaith!TheLordhathneedofthee.Thouwhofeelestthouartjustfitforhell, artjustfittoadvancehisglory;thegloryofhisfreegrace,justifyingtheungodlyandhimthatworketh not.Ocomequickly!BelieveintheLordJesus;andthou,eventhou,artreconciledtoGod.