Samuel Richardson
Justification by Christ Alone By Samuel Richardson
Objection 1:
We were not justified by Christ upon the Cross, because Christ rose again for our justification, Rom. 4:24.
Answer:
If Christ's resurrection did justify us, then it was not faith that justified us: and seeing the resurrection of Christ was before we were born, therefore before we believed.
Secondly, the resurrection of Christ did justify Him Who justified us, that is, visibly declare Him, and those in Him to be just. For the resurrection of Christ did wonderfully declare Him to be the Son of God, in that He had power to raise Himself from the dead by His infinite power, John 10:17,18.
Thirdly, Christ's resurrection did, and does declare us to be just who believe in Him, because we believe in Him Who is the Son of God. Also, Christ's resurrection does justify all them who declare Him to be the Son of God, that in so doing they witness to the truth, 1 Cor. 15:15.
Objection 2:
But the Apostle says, if Christ had not risen, they had been in their sins: 1 Cor. 15:17, therefore Christ's blood did not take away their sins.
Answer:
The Apostle's words are to be understood, it had been so, if Christ had not been the true Messias, the Son of God, He had not been He that could have taken away sin, if He had not risen, seeing the Prophets and Scriptures declare that the Christ, the Son of God, should not only be crucified, but also rise again the third day, Psal. 16:9,11 with Acts 2:25-32 and 26:22; 1 Cor. 15:14, He must "rise again the third day," John 18:32. "Thereforeit was not possible that Christ should be holden by death" Acts 2:24. Also Christ said, that He would "rise again the third day," Matt. 20:19 and 16:21. And if He had not risen, He had been a false witness and not He Who could take away sin. And, if so, they had been still in their sins and their faith vain, to believe a lie. This is the scope of the Apostle's words, 1 Cor. 15:17. But seeing Christ did rise again, He must needs be the Son of God, and the true Messias, declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead, Rom. 1:4. Because else He could not have raised Himself from the dead as He did. Therefore, it must follow, that seeing He did rise again, they were not in their sins because He had justified them in washing their sins away in his own blood, Rev. 1:5.