Verf. 31,3 2. the Epiflle to the Romans. r 3 72 Interpre- tation. Doîtrine. 2 Doti. eternal and powerful mercy which fer- veth both for humbling them, and mo- ving them to ,hearty thankfulneffe. 7 t M. What is meant by [attain ?] S I L. To apprehend, lay hold on, and receive Come thing given. T t M. What figniftes [Right eoufnef fe ?] S t L. That perle& juflice of í,hrift, which he wrought in his own perfon, by his own fufferings and doings, which confifts in remifhon of fns and imputation of his obedience. See Rom. 3. T t M. But is npt this abfurd, that the Gentiles which were unrighteous should re- ceive righteoufnede ? S t L. No, becaufe they had faith to receive Chrift, who is the end of the Law torrighteoufneffe,to all that be- leeve in him,Rom. t 0.4. T t M. But how can righteoufneffe and unrigbteoufnejl"e meet together in one per fan ? S t L. Very well : the righteoufneffe of faith' may be foundin him who wants the righteoufneffe of works : howbeit, when the righteoufneffe of faith comes, a mans own unrighteoufneffe is done away, as touching theguilt of it ;'and the Spirit begins a righteous life in them, that they may in fome mealure think and do righteous things. T r M. What Dolrines are we to gather from theft lafi words? S t L. That the righteoufneffe of Chrift, and the gift of faith, do differ the one from the other; for faith is wrought in us by Gods gift, as a hand to take it, the righteoufneffe of Chrift flicks in his own perfon as in the fub- je &,pnrchaftdby his death and obedi- ence Alfo this is perfe&,appeafìng Gods wrath; the other is unperfe&, needing Gods pardon.Secondly, from hence we learn, that feting the juftice of Chrift is received, therefore it is beftowed as a free gift, not by merit of works. Thirdly, we learn that the justice whereby we are righteous before God, is no inherent quality in our felvts, bt- caufe it comes from without us,namely from Chrifts obedience imputed to faith ; faith finds none in urs, but bor- rowes of T t M. What is theufe of this lafi paint of Dollrire? S i L. It confuteethe Papifis, who leek perfel} righteoufneffe by their own works proceeding from faith. Se- condly,it humbles and gives from us the whole glory of our righreoufneffe to Chrift from whence we take it, as a poor begger an almes from a bountiful rich King. T t M. What other thing learn we hence ? S i L. Here is a notable place to prove, that all ele& finners are juftified by grace, even by faith in Christ, with- out the works of the Law ; for it was given to the Gentiles who had no good works, only becaufe they beleeved. Laftly, fuch as are endued with a lively faith, may thereby be certain of their own ele &ion, juftification, and falvati- on by Chrift. For every belecver knows himfelf to be juflified, and he that is juftified knows that he is deft, and he that is ele& mull needs be laved,becaule Gods decree is unchangeable. Therefore he that once knowes his own .faith, may thereby be confident and lure of eternal life,accordingto the tenor of7 the Gofpel, every where promifsng life everlafting to faith$ therefore to him who can truly fay, I beleeve, the truth will tell him, thou arc juft by Chrift, and muftlive for ever with hint. The certainty then of eleaion is no whereto be found but in the Gofpel. DIA L (Dolls XX. Verf. 31,32. But Ifoel which followed the Law of righte- oufneffe,could not attain unto the Law of righteoufnefre. Wherefore? becaufe they fought it not by faith, but as it were'1'y the works of the Law. TIMor H sus. WHat is the fumme of this Text ? e L. it con taines the fecond Stamme. part of Paulo anfwer unto the queftion moved in the thirtieth verfe,and it con - lifts in two things : Firft,in a propofiti- Parts. on,which is this; that the Jews though they
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