Wesley Corpus

This is the grand, palpable objection to that whole scheme. It directly “makes void the law.” It makes thousands content to live and die “transgressors of the law,” because Christ fulfilled it “for them.” Therefore, though I believe he hath lived and died for me, yet I would speak very tenderly and sparingly of the former, (and never separately from the latter,) even as sparingly as do the Scriptures, for fear of this dreadful consequence. “‘The gift of righteousness’ must signify a righteousness not their own.” (Page 138.) Yes, it signifies the righteous ness or holiness which God gives to, and works in, them. “‘The obedience of one’ is Christ’s actual performance of the whole law.” (Page 139.) So here his passion is fairly left out! Whereas his “becoming obedient unto death,” that is dying for man, is certainly the chief part, if not the whole, which is meant by that expression. “‘That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us; that is, by our representative in our nature.” (Ibid.) Amazing ! But this, you say, “agrees with the tenor of the Apostle’s arguing. For he is demonstrating, we cannot be justified by our own conformity to the law.” No; not here. He is not speaking here of the cause of our justification, but the fruits of it. Therefore, that unnatural sense of his words does not at all “agree with the tenor of his arguing.” I totally deny the criticism on 8.xxioavvm and Bixaloux, and cannot conceive on what authority it is founded. O how deep an aversion to inward holiness does this scheme naturally create 1 (Page 140.) “The righteousness they attained could not be any personal righteousness.” (Page 142) Certainly it was: It was implanted as well as imputed. “For ‘instruction in righteousness, in the righteousness of Christ.” (Page 145.) Was there ever such a comment before? The plain meaning is, “for training up in holiness” of heart and of life. “He shall convince the world of righteousness;” that I am not a sinner, but innocent and holy. (Page 146.) “‘That we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Not intrinsically, but imputatively.” (Page 148.) Both the one and the other. God, through him, first accounts and then makes us righteous.