Front matter

Christ Set Forth Copy Thomas Goodwin Monergism Books

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Contents To the Reader Part One: Christ the Object and Example of Faith "Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yes rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us."—Romans 8:34

1. Chapter One 2. Chapter Two 3. Chapter Three Part Two: Christ Crucified — The Ground of Justifying Faith

Who shall condemn? Christ has died.—Romans 8:34

4. Chapter One 5. Chapter Two

6. Chapter Three Part Three: Christ Risen — The Power of Justifying Faith "…Yes rather, that is risen again." —Romans 8:34

7. Chapter One 8. Chapter Two 9. Chapter Three 10. Chapter Four 11. Chapter Five 12. Chapter Six 13. Chapter Seven Part Four: Christ Ascended — The Confidence of Justifying Faith

Who is he that condemns? It is Christ, who is even at the right hand of God. Romans 8:34

14. Chapter One 15. Chapter Two 16. Chapter Three 17. Chapter Four 18. Chapter Five Part Five: Christ Interceding — The Triumph of Justifying Faith

Who also makes intercession for us.—Romans 8:34

19. Chapter One

20. Chapter Two 21. Chapter Three 22. Chapter Four 23. Chapter Five 24. Chapter Six 25. Chapter Seven 26. Chapter Eight 27. Chapter Nine 28. Chapter Ten

To the Reader T he title and following table of this treatise will sufficiently inform you of its purpose. I will only briefly share my own intentions. I have observed many devout and precious souls who have fully surrendered themselves to Christ for salvation, and who initially embraced Christ alone for their justification. However, in their daily spiritual journey, they have been overly focused on the evidence of Christ in their own hearts, rather than on Christ himself. Their thoughts and deepest intentions are often consumed with examining their own gracious dispositions, hoping to glimpse Christ through them. Yet, Christ himself is near them, if they would simply focus on him through thoughts of pure and single faith.

While it is acceptable to use our own graces as signs and evidence of Christ within us, we must not overly focus on them to the point of neglecting Christ. Just as it is wrong to excessively indulge in lawful pleasures to the point of deadening our hearts to the delight in God, it is

also wrong to excessively rely on signs to the point of diverting our attention from daily thoughts of faith towards Christ.

Many believers are so preoccupied with their own hearts that Christ is scarcely in their thoughts. This is a dishonor to Christ, who should be the primary focus of our hearts, and a shame for believers, who should look directly to Christ, their spiritual husband, rather than through the mediation of their own graces.

To correct this error, we should not reject all use of such evidences, but rather use them appropriately. We should first renew our faith in Christ before examining our own graces. If we find evidence of grace while our faith is focused on Christ, we should use this evidence to strengthen our faith, but not to the point of neglecting Christ.

Many Christians live more in the comfort of their own graces and their duties towards Christ, rather than in the assurance of their faith in Christ.

This is partly due to a lack of knowledge about Christ and a lack of skill in using what they know about Christ to strengthen their faith.

This treatise aims to present Christ as the object of our justifying faith and the cause of our justification, whether we have assurance or not. I have discussed Christ's death, resurrection, ascension, sitting at God's right hand, and intercession, focusing on how these aspects of Christ contribute to our justification.

Through this, you can see the abundant provision God has made in Christ for all believers. Everything in Christ speaks of our justification. You can also see that God has justified us repeatedly through Christ, and therefore, there is no need to seek comfort elsewhere.

In this treatise, I have also discussed how Christ's heart, now that he is in heaven, is still affectionate towards us sinners here below. This is a true

representation of Christ's heart, and I hope it will encourage believers in their faith.

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ grant us, according to the riches of his glory, that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith, and that we may know the love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge! Amen. - Thomas

Goodwin

Part One: Christ the Object and Example of Faith "Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yes rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us."—Romans 8:34

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