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A

TREATISE

ON

JUSTIFICATION:

SHEWING

The Matter, Manner, Time, and Effects of it.

By the REVEREND

Mr. THOMAS DUTTON,

Late Minister in LONDON, and Author of the Discourse
on the NEW-BIRTH, and RELIGIOUS LETTERS.

It is God that justifieth.

Rom. viii. 33.

THE THIRD EDITION.

GLASGOW:

Printed by WILLIAM SMITH,
For ARCHIBALD COUBROUGH, Bookfeller;
Sold at his Shop, above the Cross.

MDCCLXXVIII.

and

1

4-9-1932

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ADVERTISEMENT.

THE

HE fcripture doctrine of the free juftification of guilty finners, thro' the meritorious obedience and imputed righteousness of the adorable Redeemer, received by faith, as it is of the utmost importance in itself, fo it has ever been one of the received articles of all the re

formed churches, and is ftill held, by all true proteftants, as one of the most effential doctrines of Christianity. It has always been the delightful theme of every orthodox and evangelical minifter; and conftantly yields the moft folid comfort to every fincere Christian.

Though there have been many useful and elaborate Treatises written upon the point, by divines of diftinguished abilities, there is yet room for more, as the fubject is inexhaustible. -The fmall tract now offered to the public,. needs no recommendation: the worthy author of it was well known; and the performance, when read, will fufficiently recommend itself, and has already done fo, to fuch as have perufed it.

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The author's plan in the discourse is shortly us;-To confider the doctrine of the justification of a finner, in the fight of God, in the MATTER of it, viz. the complete obedience of Jefus Chrift, exclufive of all works of the creature ;-in the MANNER of it, as, with refpect to God, it is by imputation, and with respect to ourselves, by faith;—in the TIME of it, as it respects the whole body of the elect, and every individual perfon of God's chofen and in the EFFECTS of it, with respect, to the SOUL, as it regards its peace, its ftate, and its obedience.

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In this edition, the Treatise is divided into diftinct Sections, agreeable to the above plan; and to each Section there is prefixed a fcripture text, fuitable to the refpective branches of the difcourfe. With a preface and introduction, giving fome account of the author, and the work.

The editor makes no apology for the prefent publication: he has been warmly importuned to it; and the scarceness of the book, with the eafy terms on which it is now offered, (not being the one half of the former price); the interesting nature of the fubject; and the clear and distinct manner in which it is handled, will, he hopes, fufficiently excuse the attempt.

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THE

PREFACE.

AMO

MONG the many peculiar and interesting doctrines in the Chriftian fyftem, neceffary to be properly understood, there is none of greater importance than the doctrine of the justification of guilty finners. As right notions of this important point, is of the utmost confequences to fallen men; fo the fcriptures of truth exhibit the most full and diftinct view thereof: there we are told that guilty men are only justified in the fight of God, by hav ing the finished righteousness of the blessed Jefus, confifting in his active and paffive obedience, freely imputed, exclufive of all good works of the creature, and received by faith.

This is not only the fcripture doctrine of justification, but also the doctrine of all our reformed churches; and was of fuch great account with our protestant reformers, that Luther faid of it, That the church either flood or fell, as this • doctrine was maintained, or rejected.

The Rev. Mr. DUTTON, author of the following Treatife, on the important doctrine of Justification, was also the author of fome other Tracts. We have feen his difcourfe concerning the NEW BIRTH, and his LETTERS on religious fubjects. In these he has given uncontested proofs of his pious difpofition, and thorough acquaintance with the infpired

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