Neither is faith the matter of our Justification; which appears by these arguments.
1) Because that righteousness, by which we are justified before God,
is not our own. All true believers, as the great apostle Paul did, esteem
Philippians 3:9
“their own righteousness and works but loss and dung, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus their Lord; and desire to be found in him, not having their own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith
of Christ, the righteousness which
is of God by faith. ”
It is manifest, that the apostle
excluded every thing from the business of his Justification which might be accounted his own; and, consequently, faith itself, which though
it is a fruit of special grace, may properly be reckoned our own, as we are the subjects of it. Hence it is that the Holy Ghost speaks of faith as ours: “But the just shall live by
his faith (Habakkuk 2:4.).” All dependence on faith for Justification is laid aside by the saints, who are
sensible that "many" deficiencies attend it, and that
nothing which is
imperfect can recommend them to God.
2) A
perfect righteousness is required, in order to our Justification in God’s sight. His law insists upon a complete obedience to
all its precepts, and condemns where it is wanting; for the language of it is,:
Galatians 3:10
“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written,
Cursed is every one that continueth not in
all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”
Nor will God, in
any instance, act contrary to his own law, which c
annot be made void; for it is the eternal standard and rule of righteousness, according to which
he will always proceed in judgment.
Faith is not arighteousness free from imperfection, and therefore it is
not such as is demanded by the Law; wherefore we
cannot be justifed by it.
3)
Faith receives that righteousness by which we are justified, and therefore "
cannot" be that righteousness it self. That which is laid hold on, and embraced by faith,
must needs be something different from it, as the act and the object are distinct.
Christ’s righteousness is that to which the faith of a believer looks, and on which it wholly depends for Justification before God: Therefore faith
is not the matter of his justifying righteousness.
@Eternally-Grateful please consider carefully what we have said, you are on the right path but you are not here as of yet. Jim is coming through the front door, while you are coming from the back door,
both are in error.
3) Faith is not the instrumental cause. If faith be an instrument, it is the instrument of God or man; not of man, for man is not the principal efficient, he doth not justify himself; not of God, for it is not God that believeth. No act of man can be an instrument in those acts of God which are immanent: Justification is such an act; and as Justification is not an act of man’s, or he doth not justify himself,
faith cannot be his instrument in an act which is none of his. Upon the whole, it may be strongly concluded, that the act of believing, is
not imputed to us for righteousness, but
the object of faith. That is to say, since Christ, the object of faith, is come into the world, we are no longer under the law as a schoolmaster. It has not the least concern herein,
if Justification is properly taken. But,
If Justification be
considered in the knowledge or perception of it,
it is by faith; and that is intended when we are said to be justified by faith, if faith is to be taken in a proper sense. By this grace we behold our natural pollution and inability to perform that which is good; the perfection and spirituality of the law; the necessity of an interest in Christ’s righteousness,
in order to our acceptance with God; the glory and excellency of it: In consequence of which we renounce our own works, and wholly depend upon the spotless righteousness of Christ. At some times also we by faith view that we are all fair, and without spot in the sight of God, as he considers us in the glorious robe of his Son’s righteousness,
though full of impurities and spots in our selves. In those seasons we are filled with joy unspeakable, and full of glory; and can draw nigh to God, as our Father, with a holy freedom and liberty.
This is the concern which faith has in our Justification: It beholds and views it, but doth
not give being to it, or impute the righteousness of Christ to us,
that is God’s act without us; and therefore Justification by faith,
is only the comfortable knowledge or perception of that gracious privilege.
