The Sinner's Justifying Righteousness; Or, a Vindication of the Eternal Law and Everlasting Gospel, Abridged by T. Jones

The Sinner's Justifying Righteousness; Or, A Vindication Of The Eternal Law And Everlasting Gospel, Abridged By T. Jones by John Beart. The work presents a theologically rigorous defense of the Reformed doctrine that justification is grounded in the perfect righteousness of Christ imputed to believers, not in any merit of their own works. Beart argues against schemes that replace the old covenant's standard of perfect obedience with a milder “gospel righteousness” and argues that the law remains a sovereign, unchanging rule of duty through creation, the fall, and grace. The text opens with an Introduction and a thorough exposition of The Eternal Law, asserting that the moral law is pure, perfect, and perpetual, and that it obliges all people to perfect holiness. It then contends that fallen humans cannot satisfy the law or obtain justification by works, and that Christ, as surety, fulfilled the law in life and bore its curse in death, thus providing a justifying righteousness imputed to believers. The book contrasts the Sinai covenant with the gospel covenant of grace, rejects the notion of a milder remedial law, and maintains that faith serves as the instrument by which believers receive Christ and his righteousness. It also addresses concepts of eternity and justification from eternity, and concludes with affirmations of the universality and finality of this righteousness in the sight of God.