The First Argument

As Abraham came to the first assurance of his justification, so we, and all that believe, as Abraham did; for he is made a pattern to us in point of justification (Romans 4:23). Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him (v. 24), but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead (v. 25), who was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification.

But Abraham came to his first assurance of his sanctification, not from any promise made thereunto, but from a free promise of grace (Romans 4:18): "Who against hope, believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations: according to that which was spoken, So shall your seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was above a hundred years old; neither the deadness of Sarah's womb (v. 19). He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God (v. 20). And being fully persuaded that what he had promised he was able to perform (v. 21), and therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness (v. 22)."

The promise was absolute, and free, So shall your seed be as the stars of heaven: this he believed with full assurance of faith, resting only on the faithfulness and grace, and power of him that promised (Romans [illegible]:21).

Therefore we, and all the children of Abraham, come to our first assurance of our justification, not from our sanctification, or from any promise made thereunto; but from the free promise of grace.