This new state of Justification is continuing and permanent; not in this sense, that God renews and frequently reiterates the enstating of them into this new relative state; but in this sense, that once justified always justified; they are fixed and preserved in that state: as adoption is a permanent state, because once adopted always a child of God. Hence it is called a grace, wherein we stand Rom. 5:2. It is a state of reconciliation and Peace wherein we stand. It is no fluctuating state, wherein one may be to day and be out of it tomorrow, and again brought into it. The ground of this sentence is fixed, lasting and permanent, to wit, the imputation of the righteousness of Christ: once clothed therewith, never naked or spoiled thereof again; the gifts and calling of God being without repentance Rom. 11:29. The soul’s union with Christ through faith, is lasting and abiding: once in him, always in him, once a member of his mystical body, and married to him, as his spouse, and always so, for he must finally present all such holy and without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing Ephes. 5:27. Faith whereby the knot is made, and the marriage consent is given, remains, as to its root and habit, Christ prays, that it fail not. Luk. 22:32. They are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. 1. Pet. 1:5. All the arguments proving perseverance of the saints, which we cannot here sum-up, do confirm this.

John Brown of Wamphray, The Life of Justification Opened (n.p., 1695), 263 (Editor’s note: Spelling modernized).

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Post authored by:

• Donald John MacLean

  

  Donald John MacLean is President and Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Seminary, UK. He is a minister in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of England and Wales, and a trustee of the Banner of Truth and Tyndale House. He is married to Ruth and they have two children.

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