the knowledge of these things, if he would only place himself before the bar of God; and in the presence of his judge, but what would be convinced, that no righteousness, which is not absolutely perfect and compleat will be sufficient to justify him, in the sight of a holy God, and answer all the charges and demands of the immutable law, so as to claim his acquittance from punishment and a title to the kingdom of heaven. Whoever shall place himself in this situation, will stand in need of no laboured arguments to convince him, that he must have a righteousness, that can answer the precept, as well as the penalty of the law of works; or he must be condemned.

I have thought it might be one reason, why some well-meaning men are so dark and confused, in their ideas respecting this matter, that they do not consider, that there is a wide difference between a person's being justified and merely pardoned. To be pardoned and justified, in common language, are very far from being synonyWhen a man is pardoned, it supposes that he is guilty of breaking the law, and really deserves punishment for his crimes. But the judge dispenses with law and remits the just penalty. But when a man is justified, the case is quite different.

mous terms.

For it supposes that the man has not broken the law, but has lived so uprightly, that the law has no charge or claim against him. This man is therefore justified, because he is innocent, and stands right in the eye of the law. You see how widely these things differ. And yet, in the present case, they are united; so that we are said to be pardoned and justified at one and the same time. But the reason of this unusual language is plain enough. For sinners have all broken the law of God, nor have they any righteousness of their own, to answer its demands, or screen them from the penalty. Therefore if any sinner is exempted from punishment, it must be an act of free favor and pardoning mercy. But then, be pleased to observe, that he is not pardoned and received into the favor of God, till he believes; according to the requisition of the Covenant of Grace. By his faith, he is invested with ani nterest, in the all-perfect righteousness of Christ. God imputes this righteousness to him, or accounts it his, as though it were his own: and he may pleed it, in his own defence, against all charges of the law of works; as if it had been his own act and deed. And for this very good reason, because the

obedience and sufferings of Christ, were not for himself, but for mankind, as their surety and substitute. Now,

this righteousness, in which the true believer is interested, by his faith, being perfect and without flaw, is equal to all the law of works required, by its precepts, and justice demanded, by way of penalty. Consequently the man, who by faith is possessed of it, must stand right in the of the law, and is legally and justly acquit

ted.

eye

But as no righteousness can possibly clear us from all charges and demands of law and justice, but one that is perfect, and every way commensurate to whatever the law of God requires, it clearly follows, that there is no righteousness, but that which the gospel reveals, sufficient for the justification of a sinner. This is evident, because as you have seen already the gospel does reveal a perfect righteousness, but you will find nothing of this, in any other writings whatever. The most renowned sages of pagan antiquity knew nothing at all of any such perfect righteousness. And I do not suppose that any man living will venture to say he has such an one of his own.-O what cause have we then to bless and praise the Lord, who has laid

help upon one that is mighty to save."We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God and by the deeds of the law, can no man be justified."-" Bless, then, the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name; and forget not these inestimable benefits. For he hath so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life."—" God hath set forth his Son to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness, or manifest his justice, for, or in the remission of sins; that God may be just,, and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus." What a glorious and God-like scheme of salvation is this!-A scheme, by which the greatest, as well as the least sinner, may be fully justified, and saved from wrath, in a way perfectly consistent with the honor and dignity of all the divine attributes of the Almighty Jehovah. For, in this scheme, "Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.'

That you and I may ever esteem this glorious righteousness, and be found in it,

fully absolved and completely justified, is the prayer of,

WE live in an age, wherein religious disputes have greatly abounded. Čalvinism had pretty quietly kept the field, among the more zealous professors of religion, for a considerable time; and seems to have met with little or no opposition, from the beginning of the present century, to the year 1733, or thereabout. Not that the Cavinistic doctrines were universally believed by all sorts of people, especially