Romans 4

I have sinned against heaven, and before you; he charges himself with sin before ever his father charges him with it. 3. We glorify God by believing (Romans 4:20): Abraham was strong in faith, giving glory to God. Unbelief affronts God, it gives him the lie; he that believes not…

Quest. Why should faith save and justify more than any other grace? Resp. 1. Because of God's sanction: He has appointed this grace to be justifying, and he does it because faith is a grace that takes a man off himself, and gives all the honor to Christ and free-grace (Romans 4:…

And he is just, 1. Because he punishes sinners by a law. Where there is no law there is no transgression, (Romans 4:15) But God has given men a law, and they broke it, therefore he punishes them justly. 2. God is just in punishing the wicked, because he never punishes them, but…

This is most false, as may be proved both by example and reason: 1. By example: Abraham was a regenerate man, but Abraham was not justified by works but by faith (Romans 4:3). Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. 2. By reason: How can those works ju…

5. We take God's name in vain, when we pray to him, but do not believe in him. Faith is the great grace that honors God (Romans 4:20): Abraham being strong in faith, gave glory to God; but when we pray to God, but do not mix faith with our prayer, we take his name in vain. I may…

2. The first covenant being broken, allowed the sinner no remedy, all doors of hope were shut: but the new covenant allows the sinner a remedy; it leaves room for repentance, it provides a Mediator (Hebrews 12:24), Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant. 2nd Difference. The firs…

Oh, says a believer, my corruption is so strong, that surely I shall never get the mastery of it: but the power of God can fulfill his promise. Thus Abraham looked at God's power, (Romans 4:21) being fully persuaded that what God had promised, he was able to perform. He believed…

3. We hallow and sanctify God's name when we trust in his name (Psalm 33:21): We have trusted in his holy name. No way can we bring more revenues of honor to God, or make his crown shine brighter than by confiding in him (Romans 4:20): Abraham was strong in faith giving glory to…

(1.) Because it is a God-exalting grace. It glorifies God (Romans 4:20). Abraham being strong in faith, gave glory to God.

(1.) Had we the kingdom of heaven presently, as soon as ever grace is infused, then God would lose much of his glory. 1. Where would be our living by faith, which is the grace that brings in the chief revenues of glory to God (Romans 4:20)? 2. Where would be our suffering for Go…

This faith is a miracle of miracles, for it is founded — as the earth is — upon mere nothing in itself, and yet bears the weight and stress of sins, of the devil, yes of God himself. And this is the faith you are converted by, in believing on him who justifies the ungodly (Roman…

If the greatness of your sins is objected against you, plead again that 'plenteous redemption is with him' (Psalm 130:7) — and if you have not enough to pardon me, say, 'I am content to go without.' If that you are ungodly — say, 'I believe on him who justifies the ungodly' (Rom…

This we may make use of, whether we be in necessity, and would be relieved: or in any peril, and would be succored: or in what extremity soever, when means do fail us. Secondly, if he made all things of nothing: then he is able also, in respect of his promises made in Christ, To…

From hence we learn two instructions: First, seeing Abraham is the Father of the faithful, Romans 4:11: and our glory is to be children of faithful Abraham; Therefore we must all learn, as good children to follow our Father, in framing our lives according to God's calling: when…

There is a third, a more spiritual or mystical reason: and that reason God had in making Abraham live in Canaan as a stranger; Namely, to teach all Christian men their duty, to the worlds end. Abraham is the Father of the faithful, Rom. 4.11. And this is our honour to be the chi…

Again, I answer, that if we take it in the sense of Scripture, It is true, that God justifies a wicked man. For Saint Paul says, Romans 4. To him that works not, but believes in him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted to him for righteousness.

And the answer is, by true saving faith: and it is proved thus. Abraham believed this promise by the faith that justified him, Romans 4:10-11. But Abraham and Sarah believed it both by one faith: therefore Sarah believed that promise by the faith that also justified her.

Besides this main promise, which concerns righteousness and life everlasting in Christ, there be other particular promises touching strength in temptations, comfort in afflictions, and such like, which depend on the former: and they also are the object of justifying faith: and w…

A righteous man moves in a higher sphere, he penetrates the clouds, Moses saw him who is invisible (Hebrews 11:27). Sense and reason are too low of stature to see Christ; faith climbs up, not into the tree as Zacchaeus, but within the veil, and there sees Jesus: a holy person se…

Reason 4. Paul in Romans 4 stands much upon this, to prove that justification by faith is not conferred by the sacraments. And from the circumstance of time he gathers that Abraham was first justified and then afterward received circumcision, the sign and seal of this righteousn…

The fourth abuse is touching the effect and efficacy of repentance, for they make it a meritorious cause of remission of sins and of life everlasting — flat against the word of God. Paul says notably in Romans 4:24: we are justified freely by his grace through the redemption whi…

Where he makes an opposition between faith and doubting: thereby giving us directly to understand, that to be certain, and to give assurance is of the nature of faith. (Romans 4:20-22) Paul says of Abraham, that he did not doubt of the promise of God through unbelief: but was st…

The judgment of the ancient Church. Ambrose on Romans 4: They are blessed to whom without any labor or work done, iniquities are remitted and sin covered: no works of repentance required of them, but only that they believe. And (chapter 3): Neither working anything, nor repaying…

2. It is called pleasing to the Lord, in respect of the end, and as it is a means to the glorifying of His grace, and the performance of His Promise to the Mediator; for by this, His grace comes to be glorified, and He has access, to perform what He has promised to the Mediator.…

Therefore, in Romans 3:22 and 9:30, it is called "the righteousness which is by faith in him." And in Romans 4:5, the Apostle says, "To him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted to him for righteousness." It is not faith without its…

4ly. It may be clear from this, that frequently it is called a righteousness that is attained by faith, and that is opposed to our own righteousness, and working; now it cannot be conceived, how we can get a righteousness by faith, but by pleading, that His righteousness may be…

For the Lord would have us know, that we hold our life of Him; and not to receive Him by faith, is an evidence of highest presumption. Therefore it's said, (Romans 4:16), It is by faith that it might be of grace; God has chosen this way, that the freeness of His grace, in pardon…

1. Then, we say that there is something in justification attributed to faith, that cannot agree to any other thing; which is implied in many scriptural phrases, and in this text; in as far as it is said, that by his knowledge, or by faith in Him, justification is attained: And t…

So (2 Corinthians 5, last verse): "He was made sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (Romans 4:5): "To him that works not, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." The man ungodly in hi…

I shall illustrate it by a [reconstructed: comparison], from which the fourth reason will clearly result, our iniquities become Christ's as his righteousness becomes ours, for these two are parallel (2 Corinthians 5, last verse): He was made sin for us who knew no sin, that we m…

For then David's being moved, and his heart smiting him at the renting of King Saul's garment, should be under a covenant of works, and so not a man according to God's own heart, for a smitten heart is a troubled soul. David, Abraham (Romans 4), and all the fathers under the law…

2. He is no wise necessitated nor determined any way, but as the hire or wages do determine his will, who so works; but the wages being absolutely in his power to gain them, or lose them, determine his will; which cannot fall in the Almighty. 3. Such a condition performed by the…

(3.) We receive and embrace the promise by faith (Hebrews 11:11), and were persuaded of them. 4. We are to believe without staggering (Romans 4:19). (5.) We have peace of conscience through faith (Romans 5:1).

Now all flesh did never prophesy, nor was the Holy Ghost on Ananias and Sapphira. (Romans 4) Abraham is called the father of us all — a spiritual father by faith, he is to those that are of the faith of Abraham: now Arminians will not allow us to expound "us all" in the matter o…

So here: it is God that justifies, and Christ that died — they are both of them set forth as the foundation of a believer's confidence. So elsewhere, faith is called a believing on him (namely God) that justifies the ungodly (Romans 4:5), and a believing on Christ (Acts 6). Ther…

Which is said because his resurrection was that by which sins (though satisfied for in his death) were taken off, and they acquitted from them. Which I take to be the meaning also of that Romans 4 last: 'He was delivered for our sins and rose again for our justification.' When t…

Christ shall profit you nothing, if you look to be saved by the righteousness of the law (Galatians 5:3-4). If therefore we think that for these graces' sake God accepts us, truly we lose the things that we have wrought, and for all that we have received, we have no part nor por…

Many of Christ's precepts are displeasing to corrupt nature; to deny ourselves, to take up the cross, to mortify our appetites and passions, to cut off right hands, and to pluck out right eyes, that none shall be saved that are not regenerate and holy; that non-condemnation is t…

Verse 18. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more by the promise. &c. So he says in Romans 4: For if they which be of the law be heirs, then is Faith but vain, and the promise of no effect. And it can not otherwise be: for this distinction is plain, that the law is a…

Thus Paul even at the first entrance, bursts out into the whole matter of which he treats in this Epistle. For (as I said) he treats of the resurrection of Christ, who rose again to make us righteous (Romans 4:24-25), and in so doing he has overcome the law, sin, death, and all…

The first is out of Genesis (Genesis 15:6): Abraham believed God, etc. This place the Apostle here mightily prosecutes, as also he does in his epistle to the Romans (Romans 4:2-3). If Abraham (he says) was made righteous by the works of the law, he has righteousness and rejoicin…

Albeit then that the promise be not made to us, yet is it made as touching us and for us: for we are named in the promise: In your seed shall all nations be blessed. For the promise shows plainly that Abraham should be the father, not only of the Jewish nation, but of many natio…

Moreover we are sometimes left of the Holy Spirit and fall into sins, as did Peter, David and other holy men. Notwithstanding we have always recourse to this article: That our sins are covered, and that God will not lay them to our charge (Psalm 32 and Romans 4). Not that sin is…

Abram is called of God to forsake his country and kindred (Genesis 12); he directly then gives attendance to the commandment, and goes as it were blindfold — he knows not where. God promised him a child in his old age; he believes God without any reasoning, or disputing the case…

Dauid, Psal. 143. reasons on the same manner: No flesh shall be justified in your fight: therefore I cannot, though otherwise I be your seruant, in keeping your commandements. When Abraham was the father of all the faithfull, and was come to the highest degree of faith, and abou…

Thirdly, faith joined with charity, is not the justice whereby a sinner is justified. For our faith and love are both imperfect: and faith is imputed for righteousness without works (Romans 4:6): and therefore without charity. For this is charity to keep the commandments of God…

The sentence, If you be circumcised, &c. the proof, J Paul say to you For the better vnderstanding of the sentence, Circumcision must here be considered according to the circumstance of time, three waies. Before Christ it was a sacrament, and a seale of the righteousnesse of fai…

4. The law promises eternal life upon condition of works: Do this, and live: If you will enter into life, keep the commandments. The Gospel promises eternal life freely without any condition of works (Romans 4:5), To him that works not, but believes in him that justifies the ung…

An ignorant person at the first blush would say that the Prophet has heaped up many broken sentences without grace or art: but if we have regard to his scope and end, by an elegant speech he adorns the power of God seasonably, because his power is the true and best stay for our…

No, but by the law of faith (Romans 3:27). Also, if Abraham were justified by works, he had wherein to glory, but not with God (Romans 4:2). It follows then, that those shall justly glory, who seek their justification in God only, acknowledging that in themselves there is no mat…