Page:The works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., late fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford (IA worksofrevjohnwe3wesl).pdf/84

 be stopt from excusing or justifying himself, ''and all the world become guilty before God. Therefore'', saith he, by his own obedience, ''by the works of the law, shall no flesh be justified in his sight'', ver. 20. ''But now the righteousness of God without the law'', without our previous obedience thereto, is manifested, ver. 21. ''Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all that believe'', ver. 22. ''For there is no difference'', as to their need of justification, or the manner wherein they attain it. ''For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God'', (ver. 23.) the glorious image of God wherein they were created: and all (who attain) ''are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ'': ver. 24. ''Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation, thro' faith in his blood''—ver. 25. ''That he might be just, and yet the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus''; ver. 36. that without any impeachment to his justice, he might shew him mercy, for the sake of that propitiation. ''Therefore we conclude, (which was the grand position he had undertaken to establish) That a man is justified by faith, without the works of the law'', ver. 28.

2. It was easy to foresee an objection which might be made, and which has in fact been made in all ages: namely, That to say ''we are justified without the works of the law'', is to abolish the law. The apostle, without entering into a formal dispute, simply denies the charge. Do we then,