Aphorisms of justification, with their explication annexed wherein also is opened the nature of…Aphorismes of justification, with their explication annexed wherein also is opened the nature of…

2. It is objected, That Christ being once subject to the Law, could do no more but his duty, which if he had not done, he must have suffered for himself; and therefore how could his obedience be satisfactory and meritorious for us? I answer, 1. You must not here in your conceivings abstract the Humane Nature, which was created, from the Divine; but consider them as composing one person: 2. Nor must you look upon the Works of Christ, as receiving their valuation and denomination from the Humane Nature alone or principally. 3. Nor must you separate in your thoughts the ⟨p. 39⟩time of Christs servitude and subjection, from the time of his freedom before his incarnation and subjection. And so take these Answers. 1. Christ Jesus did perform several works which he was not obliged to perform, as a mere Subject: Such are all the works that are proper to his office of Mediator, his assuming the Humane Nature, his making Laws to his Church, his establishing and sealing the Covenant, his working Miracles, his sending his Disciples to convert and save the world, enduing them with the Spirit, his overcoming Death and rising again, &c. What Law bindeth us to such works as these? And what Law (to speak properly) did bind him to them? Yet were the works in themselves so excellent, and agreeable to his Fathers Will, (which he was well acquainted with) that they were truly meritorious and satisfactory.

2. It is objected, That Christ being once subject to the Law, could do no more but his duty, which if he had not done, he must have suffered for himself; and therefore how could his obedience be satisfactory and meritorious for us? I answer, 1. You must not here in your conceivings abstract the Humane Nature, which was created, from the Divine; but consider them as composing one person: 2. Nor must you look upon the Works of Christ, as receiving their valuation and denomination from the Humane Nature alone or principally. 3. Nor must you separate in your thoughts the ⟨p. 39⟩time of Christs servitude and subjection, from the time of his freedom before his incarnation and subjection. And so take these Answers. 1. Christ Jesus did perform severall works which he was not obliged to perform, as a meer Subject: Such are all the works that are proper to his office of Mediator, his assuming the Humane Nature, his making Laws to his Church, his establishing and sealing the Covenant, his working Miracles, his sending his Disciples to convert and save the world, enduing them with the Spirit, his overcoming Death and rising again, &c. What Law bindeth us to such works as these? And what Law (to speak properly) did binde him to them? Yet were the works in themselves so excellent, and agreeable to his Fathers Will, (which he was well acquainted with) that they were truly meritorious and satisfactory.