John 5:26; 6:53-57; Eph.
4:32; 5:2; Rom. 4:23-25.
Here let Christians warily distinguish betwixt the meritorious and
the instrumental cause of their justification. Christ, with what he
has done and suffered, is the meritorious cause of our
justification; therefore he is said to be "made unto us of God
wisdom and righteousness," and we are said to be "justified by his
blood and saved from wrath through him," 1 Cor. 1:30; Rom. 5:9,10;
for it was his life and blood that was the price of our redemption.
Thou art therefore to make Christ Jesus the object of thy faith for
justification; for by his righteousness thy sins must be covered
from the sight of the justice of the law. Acts 16:31; Matt. 1:21.
FAITH THE INSTRUMENTAL CAUSE OF SALVATION.
Faith as the gift of God is not the Saviour, as our act doth merit
nothing. Faith was not the cause that God gave Christ, neither is it
the cause why God converts men to Christ; but faith is a gift
bestowed upon us by the gracious God, the nature of which is to lay
hold on Christ, whom God before did give for a ransom to redeem
sinners. This faith hath its nourishment and supplies from the same
God who at the first did give it; and is the only instrument through
the Spirit that doth keep the soul in a comfortable frame both to do
and suffer; for Christ helps the soul to receive comfort from him,
when it can get none from itself, bearing up the soul in its
progress heavenward.
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