Object. But this Act of God, in granting Pardon to Believers, was performed long ago: But our Justification is not till we believe. Answ. Though the effects of Causes as Physical do follow them immediately, yet as Moral they do not so: but at what distance the Agent pleases sometimes. A man makes his son a Deed of Gift of certain Lands, to be his ⟨p. 115⟩at such an age, or upon the performance of some eminent Action. Here the Deed of gift is the fathers instrument by which he giveth these Lands: The passing this Deed is the proper Act and time of Donation: Yet the son hath no possession till the time prefixed, or till the Condition be performed: At which time, the conditional Grant becoming absolute, and giving him right to present possession, it is not unfitly said, that his father doth even then bestow the Lands: though by no new intervening act at all, but only the continuation of the former Deed of gift in force. So here, the conditional grant of Pardon & Justification doth then absolutely pardon and justify us, when we perform the Condition. Hence is the phrase in Scripture of being [Justified by the Law:] which doth not only signify [by the Law as the Rule to which men did fit their actions;] but also [by the Law, as not condemning, but justifying, the person whose actions are so fitted:] In which sense the Law did justify Christ: or else the Law should not justify as a Law or Covenant, but only as a Direction: which properly is not Justifying, but only a means to discover that we are Justifiable. As the Word of Christ shall judge men at the last day, Joh. 12. 28. So doth it virtually now, And if it judge, then doth it condemn and justify. So Rom. 2. 12. Jam. 2▪ 12. We shall be judged by the Law of Liberty. ⟨p. 116⟩Gal. 5. 3. 4, 23. In the same sense, as the Law is said to convince and curse (Jam. 2. 9. Gal. 3. 13.) it may be said that the Gospel or new Law doth acquit, justify and bless. Rom. 8. 12. The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, hath made me from the Law of Sin and Death. As the Law worketh Wrath, and where is no Law, there is no Transgression, (Rom. 4. 15.) And as sin is not imputed where there is no Law, (Rom. 5. 13. and the strength of sin is the law, (1 Cor. 15. 56 So the new law is the strength of Righteousness, and worketh Deliverance from Wrath;
Object. But this Act of God, in granting Pardon to Beleevers, was performed long ago: But our Justification is not till we beleeve. Answ. Though the effects of Causes as Physicall do follow them immediately, yet as Morall they do not so: but at what distance the Agent pleases sometimes. A man makes his son a Deed of Gift of certain Lands, to be his ⟨p. 115⟩at such an age, or upon the performance of some eminent Action. Here the Deed of gift is the fathers instrument by which he giveth these Lands: The passing this Deed is the proper Act and time of Donation: Yet the son hath no possession till the time prefixed, or till the Condition be performed: At which time, the conditionall Grant becoming absolute, and giving him right to present possession, it is not unfitly said, that his father doth even then bestow the Lands: though by no new intervening act at all, but only the continuation of the former Deed of gift in force. So here, the conditionall grant of Pardon & Justification doth then absolutely pardon and justifie us, when we perform the Condition. Hence is the phrase in Scripture of being [Iustified by the Law:] which doth not only signifie [by the Law as the Rule to which men did fit their actions;] but also [by the Law, as not condemning, but justifying, the person whose actions are so fitted:] In which sence the Law did justifie Christ: or else the Law should not justifie as a Law or Covenant, but only as a Direction: which properly is not Justifying, but only a means to discover that we are Justifiable. As the Word of Christ shall judge men at the last day, Ioh. 12. 28. So doth it virtually now, And if it judge, then doth it condemn and justifie. So Rom. 2. 12. Iam. 2▪ 12. We shall be judged by the Law of Liberty. ⟨p. 116⟩Gal. 5. 3. 4, 23. In the same sence, as the Law is said to convince and curse (Iam. 2. 9. Gal. 3. 13.) it may be said that the Gospell or new Law doth acquit, justifie and bless. Rom. 8. 12. The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Iesus, hath made me from the Law of Sin and Death. As the Law worketh Wrath, and where is no Law, there is no Transgression, (
