Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Doctrine of Justification Outline

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Thesis I:  The threefold effect of the reception of the Mediator.

Thesis II:  Justification is defined.

Explanation:  1.  What is it to justify?  2.  Twofold righteousness, and twofold justification.  3.  The opinion of the Papists concerning justification.  4.  It is refuted.

Thesis III:  Things to be considered in justification.

Thesis IV:  The principal efficient.

Explanation:  1.  It is proven from Scripture. * 2.  No one is able to justify, except God.  3.  An objection is answered.

Thesis V:  The impulsive cause.

Explanation:  It is proven from Scripture.  He explains.

Thesis VI:  The instrumental cause.

Explanation:  1.  It is proven, that we are justified by faith.  2.  In what sense we might be said to be justified by faith.  The opinion of the Papists is refuted.  [3.  The opinion of the Photinians is refuted.]  4.  The opinion of the Evangelicals is confirmed.  5.  It is proven, that we are justified by faith alone.  6.  The contrary arguments of the Papists are answered.

Thesis VII:  The matter.

Explanation:  1.  The merit of Christ is the cause of justification in diverse respects.  2.  Christ’s obedience is twofold, active and passive.  3.  And true obedience is necessary for our justification.  Yet the passive alone is imputed to us.  4.  The contrary arguments are refuted.  5.  It is proven, that good works are not the meritorious cause of justification.  6.  The false gloss of the Papists is dashed out.  7.  The arguments of the Papists are refuted.

Thesis VIII:  The form.

Explanation:  1.  The distinction between justification and the remission of sins.  2.  It is proven, that we are justified by the imputed righteousness of Christ.  3.  The contrary arguments of the Papists are refuted.

Thesis IX:  The end.

Thesis X:  The effects.

Thesis XI:  Adjuncts.

Explanation:  1.  It is proven, that justification is absolutely perfect.  2.  Foundations for the refutation of contrary arguments.  Contrary arguments are refuted.  3.  The alien satisfactions of the Papists are opposed.  4.  It is proven, that certainty of justification is possible.  5.  The contrary arguments of the Papists are refuted.  6.  It is proven, that certainty of justification is necessary.  7.  It is proven, that certainty of justification is useful.  8.  The exception of the Papists is nullified.  9.  It is proven, that justification is immutable.  10.  It is proven, that justification is equal in all.  11.  The study of new obedience is necessary in the justified.  12.  Formerly the Lutherans were agreeing with the Reformed in the article concerning justification.  13.  Adoption as a consequent of justification.  14.  How we obtain the Spirit of adoption.  15.  Whence we gather that we have the Spirit of adoption.  How the same Spirit is preserved.