Fifth. It is, therefore, of a justifying virtue, only by imputation, or as God reckoneth it to us; even as our sins made the Lord Jesus a sinner—nay, 'sin,' by God's reckoning of them to him.
It is absolutely necessary that this be known of us; for if the understanding be muddy as to this, it is impossible that such should be sound in the faith; also in temptation, that man will be at a loss that looketh for a righteousness for justification in himself, when it is to be found nowhere but in Jesus Christ. The apostle, who was his craftsmaster as to this, was always 'looking to Jesus,' that he 'might be found in him,' knowing that nowhere else could peace or safety be had (Phil 3:6-9). And, indeed, this is one of the greatest mysteries in the world; namely, that a righteousness that resides with a person in heaven should justify me, a sinner, on earth!
Sixth. Therefore the law and the works thereof, as to this, must by us be cast away; not only because they here are useless, but also they being retained are a hindrance. That they are useless is evident, for that salvation comes by another name (Acts 4:12). And that they are a hindrance, it is clear; for the very adhering to the law, though it be but a little, or in a little part, prevents justification by the righteousness of Christ (Rom 9:31,32).
What shall I say? As to this, the moral law is rejected, the ceremonial law is rejected, and man's righteousness is rejected, for that they are here both weak and unprofitable (Rom 8:2,3; Gal 3:21; Heb 10:1-12). Now if all these and their works as to our justification, are rejected, where, but in Christ, is righteousness to be found?
Thus much, therefore, for the explication of the proposition—namely, that there is no other way for sinners to be justified from the curse of the law in the sight of God, than by the imputation of that righteousness long ago performed by, and still residing with, the person of Jesus Christ.
[Two Positions.]
Now, from this proposition I draw these two positions—FIRST.
THAT MEN ARE JUSTIFIED FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW BEFORE GOD WHILE
SINNERS IN THEMSELVES. SECOND. THAT THIS CAN BE DONE BY NO OTHER
RIGHTEOUSNESS THAN THAT LONG AGO PERFORMED BY, AND RESIDING WITH,
THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST.
[FIRST POSITION]
FIRST. Let us, then, now enter into the consideration of the first
of these—namely, THAT MEN ARE JUSTIFIED FROM THE CURSE OF THE
LAW BEFORE GOD WHILE SINNERS IN THEMSELVES. This I shall manifest,
FIRST, By touching upon the mysterious acts of our redemption;
SECOND, By giving of you plain texts which discover it; and, THIRD,
By reasons drawn from the texts.
FIRST. For the first of these; to wit, the mysterious act of our redemption: and that I shall speak to under these two heads—First, I shall show you what that is; and, Second, How we are concerned therein.