Socinianism in the Fundamental Point of Justification Discovered, Chapter 2 · Argument 11
Paraus Rom. 4.3.
Wee understand by the word faith, which is said to be imputed for righteousnes, Abrahams resting, not in himselfe, or his owne merits, but in the promise and good will of GOD. These testimonies are brought to begge the question, for they onelyonly affirme, that faith is imputed: and by believing, men come to be counted righteous: but there is not in any one the least intimation, that faith is imputed in a proper sense, but their owne words in the same places shew, That faith by reason of that which it beleeveth, and apprehendeth, that is, Christ with all his merits, and benefits, is counted for righteousnes, which is our true, genuine & Orthodox exposition of the Apostles words.
And thus I have answered all whatsoever hee hath said for his interpretation, onelyonly his severall falshoods, and manifest untruthes in severall phrases, and boasting wordes prefixed before the testimonies, of every Author whom he nameth. I leave to the Reader to observe; For indeed they are most palpable, that every man of understanding may run and reade them.
But because I will not have such a forger, and false suborner of witnesses escape away without the iust brands of forgery, and notorious impudency. I will bring in the best learned of the Ancients and also of late Orthodox Divines, even those whom hee calls to witnesse for him; and will make them speake in their owne wordes, and testifie to all the world, that by faith imputed for righteousnesse, they understand not faith by it selfe in a proper sense; but the satisfaction and righteousnesse of Iesus Christ GOD and man, performed according to the Law, in our nature and in our behalfe, that through him the righteousnesse of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who beleeve in him, and are lead by his spirit.
First Iustin Martyr testifieth that we being in our selves transgressors, and ungodly, cannot possibly bee iustified but in the onelyonly sonne of GOD: now if onelyonly by being in him, and by that union and communion which all have with him who are in him, then onelyonly by his righteousnesse. For as the same Author saith in the same place, It is his righteousnes and nothing else, which can cover our sinne. Iustin Martyr in Epist. ad Diognetum. and in exposit… fidei, hee saith that Christ as well by his exact conversation of life (that is, his perfect righteousnes) as by his undeserved death hath abolished and covered our falls and failing which came in by Adam.
Irenaeus is so strict for our communion with Christ in his obedience unto death, and for our reconciliation and iustification therby, that he imputes Christs obedience to us, and saith. Jn secundo Adamo reconciliati sumus, obedientes usque ad mortem facti. In the second Adam wee are reconciled, being made obedient even unto death. lib. 4. c. 14. adversus haereses.
Athanasius in his 2 Tom. pag. 270. of Cornelius edition, saith that it is most necessary for us to beleeve the Scriptures, that Christ who hath freed us from the curse, is the first fruites of the masse of mankind who are by him redeemed, and that the perfect fulfilling of the law by him the first fruites, is imputed to the whole masse, his wordes in greeke are foreign. And in his booke de incarnat. verbi, hee affirmes that we shall live, and bee saved, because wee are partakers of the righteousnes without spot, which Christ GOD in the flesh brought into the world.
Gregory Nyssen Orat. 2. in Cantica saith, Christ having the filth or guilt of my sins transferred upon himselfe, hath communicated his perfect purity to mee, and made mee partaker of that beauty which is in himselfe.
Ambrose saith, as Adam is the patterne of death because of sin, so Christ is the patterne of life, because of his righteousnesse, in cap. 7. Lucae lib. 5. And our iustification by faith, and not by workes, he saith was prefigured by Jacobs getting of the blessing in sweet smelling garments. Iacob was a type of every true beleever under the Gospell, Rebecca of the Church. The garments of the first borne Christs righteousnesse. The Iewes of the elder testament, like Esau, sought righteousnesse by their owne workes, and true beleevers put on the righteousnes of Christ by faith, being so taught by the Church their mother, and obtaine by the merit of it the blessing.