Socinianism in the Fundamental Point of Justification Discovered, Chapter 1 · Socinian position 7
Socinianisme.
SEcondly, when we deny the imputation of Christs righteousnes in justification, we neither deny the righteousnesse of Christ in it selfe, we rather suppose and establish it, neither 2o doe wee deny the absolute necessity of it, both to the justification, and salvation of a sinner: neither 3o do wee deny a meritorious efficiencie, and causalitie in that righteousnes in respect of the justification of a sinner, but verily believe and conceive, that GOD justifieth all that are justified, not simply or barely, for Christs sake, or for his righteousnes sake (for a man may doe a thing for his sake whom he much loves, and respects, though he hath not otherwise deserved it at his hands) but for the righteousnesse of Christ, his death being taken into the consideration with it, why GOD should justifie those that believe in him. But 4o and lastly, that which we deny in denying the imputation of Christs righteousnesse, is this, that GOD should looke upon a believing sinner, and account of him, as one that hath done in his owne person, all that Christ did in obedience to the morall Law, and hereupon pronounce him righteous: or: (which is the same) that GOD should impute unto him those particular acts of obedience which Christ performed in that nature, and property of them, so that hee should stand as righteous before GOD, as Christ himselfe, or (which is the same) righteous with the selfe same righteousnesse wherewith Christ was righteous, and so GOD make himselfe countable to him for such obedience imputed in as great matters of rewards as he would have beene for the like obedience personally performed by himselfe; in a word, this is that which we deny, and this is that which we affirme, concerning the righteousnesse of Christ, in the justification of a sinner, that GOD cloathes none with the letter of it, but every man that believes with the spirit of it. 1. that this righteousnes of Christ, is not that, that is imputed unto any man for his righteousnesse; but is that for which righteousnes is imputed to every man that believeth: a justified person may in such a sense be said to be cloathed with Christs righteousnesse, as Pauls necessities were relieved, and supplied by his hands. Act. 20.24. these hands (saith hee) have ministred to my necessities. Paul neither eate his fingers, nor spun out the flesh of his hands, into cloathing, and yet was both fed, and cloathed with them: So may a believer be said to be cloathed with the righteousnesse of Christ, and yet the righteousnes of Christ it selfe, not to be his cloathing, but onelyonly that which procureth his cloathing unto him, and so Calvin calls that clothing of righteousnes wherewith the beleever is cloathed in his justification, Justitiam morte & resurrectione Christi acquisitam, a righteousnes procured by the death, and resurrection of Christ. This righteousnes of Christ may be said to be the righteousnes of a beleever, in such construction of speech, as the knowledge of GOD and of Christ, is said to be eternall life. Iohn 17.3. viz. in way of causality, not in that formality of it, and againe the righteousnes of a beleever in his justification, may be tearmed the righteousnes of Christ in such sense, as the favour of GOD in deliverance of a man out of trouble, is called a mans righteousnes. Iob. 33. verse 26. or as the nation and people of the Jewes are often in the Scriptures called Iacob, they were not Iacob in the propriety of his person, but in his descent and propagation; so may the righteousnes of a beleever bee called the righteousnes of Christ, because it is a righteousnes descended from it, and issuing as it were out of the loynes of it. What hath been affirmed, and what hath beene denyed in the question, wee come now to prove and demonstrate the truth of both. 1o From the authority of Scriptures. 2o From the grounds of reason; as for the third way of proofe and confirmation by consent of Authors, we shall not assigne a peculiar place for that by it selfe, but interlace our other proofes occasionally with such testimonies as we have received from learned, and judicious men for confirmation of our point to be discussed.