John Owen on Imputation

As one who often has attempted to smuggle in some good works and add them to the righteousness of Christ, I am constantly needed to remind myself of the nature of justification and His finished work.  It is a scary thing as well when teachers of the gospel would do the same and lead others astray.  There is a current thought from the New Perspective on Paul that says our future justification is based on our works done through the Spirit.  In this case, grace is no longer grace, but is based on works.  

I have been studying John Owen's work "The Doctrine of Justification by Faith" and would like to pass along his definition of imputation:

"This imputation is an act of God "ex mera gratia,"--of his mere love and grace; whereby, on the consideration of the mediation of Christ, he makes an effectual grant and donation of a true, real, perfect righteousness, even that of Christ himself, unto all that do believe; and accounting it as theirs, on his own gracious act, both absolves them from sin and granteth them right and title unto eternal life."  John Owen, Works Vol. 5, p. 173

By the way, if you have not these books, they may be downloaded free at www.puritanlibrary.com Almost every puritan is on the list.  My personal favorite is Thomas Boston and his work, the Crook in the Lot.  But that's for another time...