-- BOOK II: The second object of faith, Jesus Christ.
(1.) When Christ did but undertake for us, and took by covenant our sins off from us, and indented with and entered into bond to God for our debts, God then discharged us in his secret purpose; and knowing Christ able and faithful, expected all from him.
(2.) When in the fulness of time he had performed what he undertook, as Christ did a new act, so did God also therein justify both him and us.
(3.) When Christ by his Spirit knits us to him, and works faith in us, to look towards that satisfaction and justification wrought for us, then doth God put forth another act (and it is the last act, and the accomplishment of all), and pronounceth us righteous in ourselves through him.
Obs. 2. All these acts of justification, as they depend upon Christ, so upon our being one with Christ; and look what kind of union there is, answerable is the act of justification passed forthwith. From all eternity we were one with Christ by stipulation, he by a secret covenant undertaking for us; and answerably that act of God's justifying us was but as we were considered in his undertaking.
When Christ died and rose again, we were in him by representation, as performing it for us, and no otherwise; but as so considered we were justified. But now when we come in our persons, by our own consent, to be made one with him actually, then we come in our persons through him to be personally and in ourselves justified, and receive the atonement by faith.
BOOK II: