Some place Justification to be only in the conscience. But we place it only in Christ where it is, and to whom it belongs. Justification consists in the taking away of sin. None but Christ can do that. Justification and Acceptation are one. For without Justification there is no acceptation. And seeing we are accepted in Christ, we are justified in Him. If our Justification be a spiritual blessing, {as it is,} then it is in Christ where all spiritual blessings are.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” {Eph.1:3}
Where our Redemption and Righteousness are, there is our Justification. Righteousness and Justification are one. This we have not in our selves but in Christ, “who is made unto us of God, wisdom and righteousness.” {I Cor.1:30} “In whom we have redemption.” {Col.1:14} Our Justification is a part of our completeness. Therefore, where we are complete, there we are justified. But we are not complete in ourselves, but in Him. “And ye are
complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” {Col.2:10} If all things on which depends our happiness were accomplished, John 19:28, {“Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled;} then was our Justification also accomplished. For without that no man could be
saved.
This mystery of Christ is a great mystery. Oh meditate and dive as deep as you are able into this mystery. The benefit will be great and sweet. The more I am exercised herein, the more I see into it and enjoy Justification by Christ alone, and more clearly see our believing cannot justify us. Yet I deny not but the power to believe is from the Spirit, who is the life of motion in faith. The life of faith is the life of Christ as I have treated elsewhere; what faith is, and what it does, and wherein it differs from presumption, etc. God hath given faith in his elect to know, assent and believe the Truth. {Acts 13:48} This encourages us to go to God for all we need. {Acts 26:18} This enables us to suffer for Christ; this enables us to conquer enemies, {Eph.6:16;} and makes our afflictions easy to bear. It enables us to obey {Rom.16:26;} and helps us to cleave to God, {Acts 11:23,} and to His word. {Psal.119:30,31}
Faith leads us to hope in His mercy; {Psal.147:11;} and causes us to depend upon Jesus Christ alone for life and
salvation. What more necessary and useful in this life than faith? There is a light in faith, and as our blind eyes and dark understandings are enlightened, {“the eyes of your understanding being enlightened;”} Eph.1:18 & 5:13; so,
accordingly, we are filled with the {comprehension by faith of} fullness of God. “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” {Eph.3:19} Fullness of knowledge is that perfection which we are to press after. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give
unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.” {Eph.1:17} “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” {II Pet.1:3} “I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus…that I might know Him.” {Phil.3:12,10} “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.” {Col.2:2} “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth; for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” {Jer.9:24} “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” {I Jn.5:20} “And this is life eternal, that they
might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” {Jn.17:3} This sight shows us our Justification to be in Christ alone. And the seeking of a further measure of knowledge is a seeking to be justified, {Gal.2:17;} because this knowledge is that which justifies our Conscience.
Also we confess that he that believes not has no knowledge of any Justification. All who are without faith are visibly in a perishing state. There is not the least appearance to the contrary. No man may apply salvation to such as believe not. Nor may they apply any to themselves. Such as believe not have no enjoyment of God, no true peace, no evidence of life, no right to Baptism, or the Supper. They cannot see the mystery of the Truth. He
cannot honor God nor love the truth, nor suffer for it. Yet faith cannot satisfy justice, nor merit the pardon of the least sin; for only Christ can do that. And that exposition that gives most glory to Christ and least to man, I believe is the truth. Samuel Richardson
God Loves... Himself 
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