When a man is justified by faith, he is by faith accounted just and righteous before God.
When a man is justified by works, he is by his works proclaimed or declared to man to be just and righteous.
To be justified is generally to be considered or regarded just or righteous.
FIRST STEP.
The first step in vital religion is a sense of the presence of God.
FRIENDSHIP.
It generally happens when there are little unpleasantnesses among friends and relations, that they arise from mutual faults, and therefore I cannot but conclude, that there must have been something either in my observations or manner, which it would have been better to avoid. I am surprised, however, that you should so long have suffered from such incidents: friends, and especially relatives, should be like two bowls suffering temporary collision; they should rub and go on, for in this imperfect state we must expect many such a rub; we cannot move at equal rates, we cannot keep at equal distances, there will be an infringing every now and then, but still let us go on, go on in love, agree to differ, and expect occasionally to feel; but why should this feeling be either strong or lasting? I am glad, however, that you have relieved your mind, and though it has been a little at my expense, yet as the effort has been beneficial to you, I will not attempt in any way to destroy the effect, but will, for the sake of good will and kind feeling, admit anything you have said. And here may such matters rest “never to rise again.”
MILLENNIUM.
On the Millennial question, I am always backward to speak; for I expect no personal reign: look for nothing very immediate, and then merely suppose a general or universal profession of Christianity throughout the world, and deeper work in the hearts of believers. As to the time of previous trial, I dare hazard but little—in sober truth, I do not suffer myself to be puzzled, or even much occupied with unfulfilled prophecy; with this we have graciously little to do; it is purposely so revealed that it cannot be previously known, that it may not seem, when accomplished, to have been through its prediction fulfilled.