Anonymous on Article XI: Of the Justification of Man

I. The Favour of God towards us is great, in that we are account- ed Righteous before him, only for the Merit of our Lord and Savi- ourJesus Christ. For such Sinners as we are, can pretend to no 3 Righteousness, but that which God is pleas’ d to call our Righteous- * ness ; and by Vertue of that Covenant of Grace, which was granted 5 in the Blood of Christ, he counts us Righteous, for the Sake of his Son’s Merits; and rewards us in him as righteous. He admits of no

2 | other

„ Thirty Nine ARTICLES.

other Righteousness ; and we cannat pretend to offer any other; we cannot plead Innocency, in that we have all sinned ; nor can we offer up perfe& Obedience, unless Grace will call it so in Christ Jesus ; for what we do is imperfect at the best, defil’d and stain’d, and not fit to be offer’d unto God : So that if he condescends to call our O- bedience Righteousness, it must be for the Sake of his Son’s Merits alone, who died for our Sins, and rose again for our Justification ; who prevail’d with his Father to promise that such vile and unprofi- table Servants as we are, should be counted worthy of Everlasting Life. We were uncapable of deserving this Favour for our selves or others; for we had all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, and must have perished in our Sins, had not the Lord Jesus merited it in our Behalf, in whom the Father was well pleased, for

whose Sake he is willing to be merciful unto us, to forgive us our

Sins, and. consents that his Blood should cleanse us from all Sin. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself” by Je— sus Christ, and hath given to us the Ministry of Reconciliation.

II. That which entitles us to this, is our Faith in Jesus Christ ; we are counted Righteous by Faith. This must respect our engage- ing in Christianity, and the Favour we shall reap thereby at the Day of Judgment. |

Article

XI.

2 Cor. 5. 181

1. We are counted Righteous by Faith, upon our becoming Mem-

bers of Christ, when we believe the Gospel, and submit to it; when

we give our selves up to Christ, and are baptized into his Flock. For

as soon as we declare, that we believe the Message Christ hath brought

from the Father, own him for our Lord, and are consecrated to his

Service by Baptism; we are counted Righteous before God, upon Consideration of his Merit, and are receiv d into his Family, upon Con- dition, that we walk up to our Christian Profession, and live in New- ness of Life, according to the Holy Rules of it: And if any die im- mediately after this solemn Profession of the Christian Religion, and Admission into it; as they are counted Righteous only for the Me- rit of Jesus, they will be so dealt with for ever. But if they live and enter upon Action, it is incumbent upon them to fulfil their Christianity, and to approve themselves worthy and faithful, or to perform the Conditions, upon which they hold their Christianity : For otherwise, though they are counted Righteous before God upon their Admission into it, yet for want of Faithfulness in it, they may pe- rish for ever from the right Way. Now the Just shall live 5 Faith; but iff any man draw back, my Soul shall have no Pleasure in him,

2. As this may denote the Favour we shall receive in the Day of Judgment, when our Work shall be done, and our Accounts admit-

ted, and we shall be counted Righteous, for the Sake of the Merit

of Jesus only ; it will be absolute and irreversible. Now we are upon our Warfare and Trial; and as we acquit our selves, we may be counted Righteous before God through Christ, or not. For upon our owning of Christ , and submitting to be governed by his

Heb. 10. 39.

Gospel, we are engag’d to live according to our Christian Faith and

2 Prin-

IJ EXPOSITION of the

| Article XI.

Jam. 3.223

Rom. 1. 2.

Principles, and must bring out Tempers and Lives up to a Confer-

perfect, and the Scripture was fulfilled, w lieved God, and it was counted to him for Righteousness, and he was

for we are counted

—

mity to the Gospel. It was a most just and equitable Condition of

the Covenant of Grace, that those that enter into it, and hope to re-

ceive Benefit by it, should testify their Dependance upon God, their Care to please him, and give some good Proofs of their being quali-

tied, and dispos’d by Obedience for Justification. And therefore as this may relate to the final Sentence of the Judge, by which Chri- stians will be declar’d Righteous for ever, only for the Merit of our Lord Jesus Christ: Our Faith must be a practical Principle in us, or such a firm Belief of the Gospel, as engages us sincerely in perform- ing the Conditions of it; and which in the great Day will be found and declar’d for the Sake of Jesus, our Righteousness, and rewarded

as if we had been perfect in our Obedience. Seeft thou bow Faith

wrought with his (Abraham’s) Works 2 And ” Works was Faith made ich saith, Abraham be-

called the Friend of God.

III. Though we are obliged to live up to our Christian Profession, we cannot challenge any Acceptance, upon Consideration of what we do; E. not for our own Works or Deservings,

but by Faith; or not for our own Merits, but for the Merit of je- sus Christ. Works that deserve, are perfect Works, which by their

own intrinsick Goodness and Value can merit fo much as to render us

Righteous in che Sight of God. Such Works we cannot perform be- ing Sinners, and unable to offer any Thing that is perfect in our own Behalf; and these Deservings are oppos’ d in the Article to Fait which denotes that Christian Belief and Practice, which is attend

with Weakness and Imperfection, which through the Grace of God in

Christ passes for Duty, and will be accepted in his Blood; but consi- der’d alone by it self, is imperfect, and can have no Merit in it, and without Christ can never entitle us to Favour. Now as our Faith in this Sense, through the Merits of Christ shall be counted our Righ- teousness : Our own Works or Deservings cannot be our Righ- teousness : For when we have done our delt, we are unprofitable Servants, did but our Duty in an imperfe& Manner, and are wholl beholden to the Mercy of God for Acceptance. But that we ma see how imperfect and refusable our Works and Deservings are, I will consider them as perform’d by Heathens or Christians.

1. Our Ancestors in Heathenism could not be counted Righteous before God, for their own Works or Deservings. For Sinners, such

as they were, could not expiate for their Sins; Sinners alienated and

estranged from God, were not like to please him, and those that were to every good Work reprobate, could offer nothing truly good : But had they been more able than they were, they had nothing to offer, but what they had receiv’d, or which was their Duty to do, and which could bear no Proportion to the Greatness of the Divine Ma- zesty. The Heathen in our Days are as uncapable as formerly, and what they do is as imperfect; all their Righteousness is so fr from being 5 that it is as filthy Rags before God. Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither os

thank»

Thirty Nine ARTICLES.

F as. ab WO. a + 4. —

thankful, but became vain in their Imaginations, and their foolisb Heart was darkened. |

2. Works perform’d by us Christians, fall very much short of Me- rit strictly taken; for either what we do as Christians, is good in it self, or not ; if in it self good and meritorious, how does it become

such 2 Is not our Obedience according to the Laws of the Go-

spel? Are we not bound to act as the Children of God ? And are we not, when we have done all that we can, imperfe& and weak, and no farther acceptable, than as we are the Servants of Christ > Though therefore our Actions may be of a better Nature than those of

Heathens, we do nothing but what we are obliged to do, and which

not done, may be our Condemnation : And can we merit by being Dutiful? Or merit by Prayer, when we are bound to pray? Merit by Charity, when we are bound to be charitable ? Can Abstinence

merit, when I am commanded to fast 2 Or Justice merit, when I am

engag d to be Righteous ? Either we must call Duty Merit, or we Christians cannot merit ; for what we do 1s our Duty, and what we do, we do it through Grace, and not by our own Strength; and when it is done, it is no farther valuable, than as it is recommended by the Merits of Jesus. It is therefore a Cheat or Mistake to call that meritorious, which is defective in its self, and no farther ac- ceptable than as its Defects are supplied by the Merits of our Lord

Jesus; for in a proper and strict Sense, nothing can be meritori-

ous, but his Blood and Obedience. Who did no Sin, neither was Guile found in his Mouth.

IV. This Doctrine is found and good; Wherefore that we are

saved by Faith only, is a most wholesome Doctrine, and full of

Comfort.

1. We are sav’d by Faith only through the Merits of Christ, or

for his Sake : That Faith which undertakes to live up to his Gospel,

shall be counted their Righteousness, who die immediately after Bap-

tism : Or if they live to enter upon Action, that Faith which en- gig d them to live up to Christianity, and governs the Heart and Life

according to the Commands of the Gospel, shall be counted our

Righteousness ; as the Faith of Abrabam was counted his. As this Faith standeth in Opposition to all Merit, according to the Promise

more worth in the Sight of God, than all those pompous Works of

Supererogation, by which some claim and expect the Divine Favour.

It was in Consideration of this, that the first Reformers asserted, that we are justified by Faith only ; not that they thought a bare Belief was sufficient for Justification, for they maintain’d the Neceslity of good Works : But they meant thereby, that Faith in Jesus Christ,

which was lively and operative, which commanded the Heart, the Life,

and fulfilled the Laws of Christianity, was saving, excluding all Merit or Deservings, which some then challenged, and renouncing all Pre-

tences to it. And therefore they declared that we are justified by

Faith only; which is the same with that which was asserted before, that we are accounted Righteous only for the Merit of Jesus ; er that

we

Article XI.

of the Gospel, it is entitl’d through Christ to Eternal Life, and is of

78 An EXPOSITION of th

Article XI.

Rom. 5. I, 2.

we can merit nothing, but trust to the Merits of Christ alone, when we have done all we can for Pardon and Salvation. Therefore bein

justified by Faith, we have Peace with God, through our Lord Fesus Christ; by whom also we have access by Faith into this Grace, where,

in we stand, and rejoyce in Hope of the Glory of GO

2. This is a most wholsome and sound Doctrine; for it dire&s us immediately to Christ’s Blood for Acceptance,and secures us from the Vanity of pretending to Merit, or the Pride which attends and fol- lows that Conceit ; it directs us to look into the Weakness of our

own Hearts, to disown in all Humility any Worth in our selves or

Actions, and to build all our Confidence in the Promises of Mercy, that are made to us in Christ Jesus, and in that Covenant of Grace that is made in his Blood. For as we know we can do nothing thro? our own Strength, or without Christ, that is pleasing to God: We

must depend upon his Blood for Pardon, and his Intercession for Ac-

ceptance. And that Doctrine which produces this Sense in us, is

2 Cor. . 3.

wholesome and sound, and will prove saving to the Soul. Thus we can say, Blessed be Goll, ven the Father of our Lord Fesus Christ, the Father of Mercies, and the God of all Comfort.

3. This Doctrine is very full of Comfort to penitent Sinners, and

humble Believers. For thus we are satisfy’d that our Sins shall be

pardon’d, and our Souls saved. For though we cannot do any thing

to Merit, we can believe thro’ Grace in Jesus ; and as we believe, we do obey; and as we oxy» and work out our Salvation, we are as- sur’d that our imperfe&-Performances shall be accepted, our weak but

sincere Endeavours shall be rewarded ; we shall be counted Righte-

ous, as defective as we are, and shall have a Crown of Righteousness bestow’d upon us. And this brings that Consolation with it, that

our Christian Warfare, Trials and Tribulations, in Temptations or Dangers, we know whom

we can rejoice in Hope of that Happiness, which shall be beftow’d upon us in the Great * and have Reason to chear up our selves in et what will befall us; whether we are in

we have trusted, and may look up, for our Redemption draweth

Eph. 2. 8.

nigh, and we that are reputed the Dregs of the World, the Refuse of Men, shall be comforted in the Great Day, and blessed by our Lord. For by Grace are ye saved through Faith, and that not of your selves,

it is the Gift of God.

From this I shall advise you to go on in Well-doing, and not to be

afraid of good Works; and if ye are faithful, to be humble, and ‘to

you to finish. See then that ye aim at greater Proficiency in Vir- tue, at higher Attainments in Piety, that a may perform your Du- rogress in Holy Living;

place all your Confidence upon the Merits of Jesus.

1. Go on in Well-doing, and be not weary of it, or negligent in

your Christian Warfare ; but as ye have begun well, go forward in your Duties, nothing doubting ; for he that assisted you, will help

ties from the Heart, and make a farther Pr that ye may act according to your Talents, improve them to the ut- most, and do your best for God. No matter though your Obedi-

ence is attended with Weakness, tho’ ye are imperfe& and defective,

if ye are upright in your Christianity , and do your best 1 the | | eart

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Thirty Nine ARTICLES.

Heart for God, ye will find Mercy. It was not expected that ye should merit, for then must ye needs go beyond your selves : But ye are commanded to be sincere, and without Rebuke, in an evil World; and what can be done, is your Duty, and will brighten your Crown of Righteoufnefs, and will be your Commendation for ever. Do not therefore the Work of God negligently, but continue to watch, and to be sober; to pray and to live well, and strive to enter in at the straight Gate, in the midst of Reproaches and Slanders, Assaults and Temptations, that ye may at last be counted worthy and faithful. And besides this, giwing all Diligence, add o your Faith Vertue, and 10% Verti Knowledge. © |

2. Bo not aftzid of good Works; for there is no Danger of meri-

ting. It is impossible that we should deserve any Thing at the Hands of God. As therefore ye are engag’d by Nature and Grace to be as good as ye can, endeavour to abound in good Works: All that ye can do, is but inconsiderable, and little enough to discover the Sincerity of your Hearts : However, labour to do more, and be not turn’d

from your Duty, under the Pretence of Merit ; because a Servant

cannot merit, shall he not be faithful? Or because a Son cannot me- rit,shalt he not be dutifuR Trouble not your Heads then about Merit, but be as humble, as good, and as holy, as tis possible, that ye may be cleared through the Blood of Jesus, when ye are judged. Because

some have abus d good Works, and called them meritorious, we are not exempted from our Duties, or excus’d from being Obedient. The cal. 14. 2, 3.

Lord looksd down from Heaven upon the Children of Men, to see if there were any that did undersiand, and seek God. They are all

gone aside, they are altogether become filthy, there is none that doth ©

good, no not one. Are such like to merit? But they shou’d strive

to be better. .

3. If when ye have done well, and in some Measure been faith—

fol, ye grow high-minded, ye may loose your Reward. Be not

therefore high-minded, but fear; ye cannot do more than e- nough fot God or your Souls ; be not conceited or lifted up ; for if ye have done well, ye have done but your Duty , and that per- haps not so exactly, but it might have been done better. But let your Obedience be as uniform as ye can wish ; God sees into all your Weakness and ImperfeQions ; and ‘tis only thro’ his Goodness and Mercy, that any Thing which ye do 1s accepted. The Sacrifices

f God ave a broken Spirit, a broken and contrite Heart, O God, thou

wilt not despise.

4. When all is done that can be done, put all your Confidence in the Blood and Merits of Jesus. As ye know the Father is well plea- {ed in him, and hath commanded you to submit to him, as your Lord and Saviour; ye may be sure that if ye please him in Newness of Life, ye shall be accepted in him, and as weak, frail, and imperfe& & ye are, ye shall be counted Righteous, and dealt with as Faith- ful for his Sake. Now the Lord Fesus Christ himself, and God even ons Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting Con- folation, and good hope through Grace, comfort your Hearts, and sta- blith you in every good Word and Work. RESTS 7

e ART I-

2 3 OW 2 th —— OI ———— 2 2 i…

Article Xl.

2 Pet. 1. 8.

}

Psal. 31. 1

2 Thess. 2. 16

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| Article XII.

“An EXPOSITION of the