John Owen · 23 of 31
Chapter XIX — Of Justification
Chap. XIX. — Of .
Q. 1. Are we accounted righteous and saved for our faith, when we are thus freely called?
A. No, but merely by the of the of Christ, apprehended and applied by faith; for which alone the Lord accepts us as holy and righteous. Isa. xliii. 25; Rom. iii. 23–26, iv. 5.
Q. 2. What, then, is our justification or righteousness before God?
A. The gracious, free act of God, imputing the righteousness of Christ to a believing sinner, and for that speaking peace unto his conscience, in the pardon of his sin, — pronouncing him to be just and accepted before him. Gen. xv. 6; Acts xiii. 38, 39; Luke xviii. 14; Rom. iii. 24, 26, 28, iv. 4–8; Gal. ii. 16.
Q. 3. Are we not, then, righteous before God by our own works?
A. No; for of themselves they can neither satisfy his justice, fulfil his law, nor endure his trial. Ps. cxxx. 3, 4, cxliii. 2; Isa. lxiv. 6; Luke xvii. 10.
