Wesley Corpus

(Page 110.) I will “make mention of thy righteousness only:” Of thy mercy; so the word frequently means in the Old Testament. So it unquestionably means in that text, “In’’ or by “thy righteousness shall they be exalted.” (Page 111.) “Sion shall be redeemed with judgment,” after severe punishment, “and her converts with righteousness,” with the tender mercy of God following that punishment. (Page 112.) “In,” or through, “the Lord I have righteousness and strength,” justification and sanctification; “he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation,” saved me from the guilt and power of sin; both of which are again expressed by, “He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.” (Page 113.) “My righteousness,” my mercy, “shall not be abolished.” (Page 114.)• “To make reconciliation for iniquity,” to atone for all our sins, “and to bring in everlasting righteousness,” spotless holiness into our souls. And this righteousness is not human, but divine. It is the gift and the work of God. (Page 116.) “The Lord our Righteousness;” the author both of our justification and sanctification. (Page 117.) “What righteousness shall give us peace at the last day, inherent or imputed?” (Page 127.) Both. Christ died for us and lives in us, “that we may have boldness in the day of judgment.” “That have obtained like precious faith through the righteousness,” the mercy, “of our Lord.” “Seek ye the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” the holiness which springs from God reigning in you. (Letter 5, p. 131.) “Therein is revealed the righteousness of God,” God’s method of justifying sinners. (Page 132.) “We establish the law, as we expect no salvation without a perfect conformity to it, namely, by Christ.” (Page 135.) ls not this a mere quibble? and a quibble which, after all the laboured evasions of Witsius and a thousand more, does totally “make void the law P” But not so does St. Paul teach. According to him, “without holiness,” personal holiness, “no man shall see the Lord;” none who is not himself conformed to the law of God here, “shall see the Lord” in glory. This is the grand, palpable objection to that whole scheme.