The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-03-17

lJustlncatlon nave only one point OF re-
semblance. Both release the criminal
from punishment. Here are the points
of difference Justification is the act of
just judge. Pardon is an act of a sove-
reign. Justification recognizes the claims
of justice. Pardon tramples on Justice.
justification rewards. Pardon simply
releases. To justify the sinner is the
only way in which God, as a just Judge,
can save him. Do you not see that was
right in saying that in the strict use of
words, God can not be said to pardon
Now you ask, very pertinently, How
can God remain just and be justifer of
man who is acknowledged to be ungod-
ly?" This question of yours brings us to
che very marrow of the gospel, The
Apostle says that Christ who knew no sin
was made sin for us that we might be
made the Righteousness of God in Him.
The Scriptures say distinctly that moth
ing we can do will avail to make us Just
with God; that we are justified solely on
the ground of the Righteousness of Christ.
This is the doctrine of the Old Testament
as well as of the New For Isaiah, the
prophet, calls Christ 1.-The Lord our right
eousness.' l could spend an hour in
quoting passages to confirm this statement
Now | want to answer another ques-
ton that has come into your minds: "How
can the righteousness of one person be the
ground of the justification of another?'
God requires me to be holy. How can
the righteousness of Christ satisfy this
demand upon me" 1 answer it can not,
unless it can be Imputed" to me; unless
| can be accounted to have it, although
[ am inherently destitute of it.
You ask again, Is not this mere
charm? Can a just and holy God give
me credit for what do not really have ?"
[ answer, He can, provided you are so
united with Christ that He stands as your
representative. You all understand this
doctrine of representation What the
Senator from Ohio does in Congress, the
people of Ohio are accounted as doing.
The world holds you responsible for his
acts, although you may not know at the
time what he is doing. They are "ins-
puted' to you. You know the old law
maxim, "What one does by an agent he
himself is accounted as doing"
But how does Christ become your rep
resentative? 1 answer simply by your
electing him to take your place. This
election of Jesus Christ as your represen-
tative in the high court of heaven is called
faith" in the Scriptures. By this act
of faith you become united to Him; and
being united to Him, His righteousness
is your righteousness, His bearing the
penalty of your sin is your bearing it
By means of this union with Christ as
your representative, you are legally ac-
counted as doing and suffering all that
He did and suffered for you. 1t is to
this the Apostle has reference, when he
says, " am crucifed with Christ" and
again, Therefore we are buried with him
by baptism into death that is, as our
baptism is the outward sign of our pro-
fession Of faith in Christ; when we are
baptized, we become so united with Him
that His death is our death, His burial
our burial Thus faith, union with Christ
imputation of His righteousness to us
and justification, are all distinct but es
sentlal links in the great chain of mans
redemption. And as these two, faith the
act of man, and justification the act of
God, are at the two ends CT the chain the
one on earth, the other in heaven the
Apostle, emitting the intermediate links
In the SERIES says, Therefore being ms
tilted by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ"
have been answering your questions
now l want you to answer mine. Will
you accept salvation on these terms p
Don't say, i will think about it and tell
yon some time soon" You must come
to this at last, if you are ever saved at
all. You must consent to be saved as
sinner without rag of your own right
eousness. If you ever feel good enough
to merit salvation, you may be sure that
this selt-righ will cause YOU to
stumble before you can reach the cross
A man never feels so vile as at the instant
when he casts himself on Christ. "Bv
grace we are saved through faith "
Now, | want every unconverted man
and woman and child, before thew leave
this hall to answer this question, "Am |
willing to abandon every other ground of
hope, and trust solely to the Righteousness
of Christi There is nothing mysterious
or unintelligible in the act | am beppino
you to perform. 1t is exactly like anV
other determination you may make. It'll
needs no long preparation, no praying
no humbling of your soul before God no
fasting, no meanings, no liberation oil
your soul or body You do not need to