Imputation, and the Nature of it. 241 of that Imputation. But the Imputation of Righteoufkefs mentioned by the Apoftle is as unto us ex mera Gratia, of meer Grace, as he fully declares, ckVeSc V TÑ X4. ß ¿vain. Andmore- over he declares, that thefe two forts of Imputation are in- confiftent and not capable of any compofition, fo that any thing Ihould be partly of the one, and partly of the other, Rom. i I. 6. Ifby Grace, then it k no more of work!, otherwife Grace is no more Grace ; but if it be of works,then it is no more Graces otherwife works is no more works. For initance, if Faith it felf as a work of ours be imputed unto us,it being ours an- tecedently unto that Imputation, it is but an acknowledgment of it to be in us and ours, with an afcription of it unto us for what it is. For the afcription of any thing unto us for what it k not, is not Imputation but miftake. But this is an Imputa- tion ex juilitia, of works ; and fo that which is of meer Grace,can have no place,by the Apoítles Rule. So the Imputa- tion unto us of what is in us,is exclufive of Grace in the Apo - ftles fenfe. And on the other hand ; If the Rigghteoufnefs of Chrift be imputed unto us, it mull be ex mera Gratia;of meer Grace ; For that is imputed unto us, which was not ours, an- tecedently unto that Imputation, and fo is communicated unto us thereby. And here is no place for works,norfor any pretence of them.In the one way the foundation of Imputation is in our felves,in the other it is in another, which are irreconcileable. 3. Herein both thefe kinds of Imputation do agree. Name- ly, in that whatever is imputed unto us, it is imputed for what it is, and not for what it is not. If it be a perfeíl Righ- teoufneßthat is imputed unto us, fo it is efteemed and judged to be, and accordingly are we to be dealt withall, even as thofe who have a perfea Righteoufnefs. And if that which is imputed as Righteoufnefs unto us be imperfeF.l, or impel,: fettly fo, then as fuch mull it be judged when it is imputed ; and we mutt be dealt withall as thofe which have filch an im- perfeh Righteoufnefs, and no otherwife. And therefore I i whereas
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