JUSTIFIED FREELY BY CHRIST JESUS
" Being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." -Romans 3:24 [KJV] Who are in this happy state? Men, apostate men! who have alike “sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” But are impenitent and unbelieving sinners justified? Who will dare assert this? St. Paul fully contradicts it. He expressly says, the righteousness of God, (that one righteousness which God appoints, accepts and approves) which is by faith of Jesus Christ, (received by that faith, which Jesus is the Author and Finisher of, Hebrews 12:2 .) is unto all, and upon all them who believe. But unbelievers reject this glorious righteousness of Christ. Therefore, they are not in a state of justification. Doubtless, God hath it in His secret and eternal purposes, to justify all them who shall believe: therefore, He gives them faith in time. Then, what was eternally decreed, effectually takes place in their souls: then, they come as condemned malefactors, to