The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-12-30
The Righteousness of God by Faith.

GA robe l must have, said the beloved
Berridge, "of one whole piece, broad as
the law, spotless as the light, and richer
than ever an angel wore-the robe of
Jesus" The fact is, the Lord Jesus was
not only the perfect Man, and thus rem
dered to God the perfection of obedience
due from man, but He was also God
"God manifest in the flesh h"-and thus
there was infinite acceptability and di-
vine worth in all that He did. 1t is by
His obedience that many are made right
eous-even the righteousness of God in
Him. Spotless angels around the throne
of heaven excel in strength and do the
will of God; but theirs is creature
righteousness faultless in its kind, with
out doubt, but falling short of "the
righteousness of God" How wonderful
is the standing of the believer How
near is he brought How complete in
Christ" he Isl What an everlasting and
Interchangeable Righteousness is that which
is of God by faith What grace, that
sinners of the Gentiles should have this
spotless robe How rich in mercy is
God "Christ is the end of the law for
righteousness to every one that believeth."
The knowledge of this is of unspeaka-
bic preciousness, and of great practical
consequence to the believer. 1t leads
him out of himself, away from all narrow
thoughts of mere personal safety from
wrath, and mere personal happiness for
ever, into all the grandeur of salvation
in which God has His highest glory and
Christ His dearest joy. And is it not
JOY to you, believer, to think that God
can not only save you without dishonor
to His name, but that, in saving you, all
His perfections shine with new lustre be-
fore His adoring universe?-that in saw
ing you, Jesus has received name that
is above every name? 1t also leads the
believer out of self, away from all dis
tracing thoughts Of his own doings, as
entering into or adding any thing to the
grounds of his acceptance. To gild re-
fined gold or to paint the lily, were
reasonable attempt compared with the
folly of attempting to contribute to the
righteousness of God-to the acceptable
ness of one who is accepted in the Be-
loved"-to the completeness of one who
is complete in Christ"
The knowledge of this is necessary
also to give expansion and yet steadiness
to our comprehension of our true stand
ing and prospects as believers. For un-
less we see an adequate ground for it in
the righteousness on which we stand, we
shall be disposed to explain away all that
is distinguishing in the hope set before
us in the Gospel. Believer, it is low
and grovelling thing for you to desire to
be an angel, or to stand among them as
worshippers. This is disparaging to the
grace of God in Christ; and shows that
in some way you are measuring your
prospects by something in yourself
When you know the things which are
freely given us of God, you will say:
"Had l an angels holiness,
I'd lay aside that beauteous dress,
And wrap me up in Christ. "
And in like manner, not to magnify
yourself over them, but, in your deep
humiliation, magnifying the grace of God
before the display of which they also
adore, you will know that your place and
your glory is as far above theirs as the
righteousness of God which you are
made in Christ is above the highest right
eousness which creature can ever at
tain. And when you, strengthened with
might by the Spirit in the inner man,
comprehend something of this marvel
lous purpose of grace, we would ask you'
"What manner of persons ought ye to
be, in all holy conversation and godli-
ness ?"-THe Witness.