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…

(7.) I know mans guilt and •••igation to suffer, is but Metaphorically called his debt. Therefore when we would search into the nature of these things exactly, we must rather conceive of God as the Lawgiver and Governor of the World, then as a creditor, lest the Metaphor should mislead us. Yet because it is a common & a Scripture phrase, and conveniently expresseth our Obligation to bear the penalty of the violated Law, I use it in that sense.

(7.) I know mans guilt and •••igation to suffer, is but Metaphorically called his debt. Therefore when we would search into the nature of these things exactly, wee must rather conceive of God as the Lawgiver and Governour of the World, then as a creditor, lest the Metaphor should mislead us. Yet because it is a common & a Scripture phrase, and conveniently expresseth our Obligation to beare the penalty of the violated Law, I use it in that sense.

But here we are cast upon many and weighty and very difficult Questions. Whether Christ did discharge this debt by way of solution or by way of satisfaction? 2. whether in his suffering and our escape the threatening of the Law was executed or dispensed with? 3. And if dispensed with, how it can stand with the truth and justice of God? 4. And whether sinners may thence be encouraged to conceive some hope of a relaxation of the threatenings in the Gospel? 5. And whether the faithful may not fear lest God may relax a promise as well as a threatening? 6. And lastly whether if the Law be relaxable, God might not have released his Son from the suffering, rather then have put him to so great torment, and so have freely pardoned the offenders? I shall briefly answer to all these.

But here we are cast upon many and weighty and very difficult Questions. Whether Christ did discharge this debt by way of solution or by way of satisfaction? 2. whether in his suffering and our escape the threatning of the Law was executed or dispensed with? 3. And if dispensed with, how it can stand with the truth and justice of God? 4. And whether sinners may thence be encouraged to conceive some hope of a relaxation of the threatnings in the Gospell? 5. And whether the faithfull may not feare lest God may relaxe a promise as well as a threatning? 6. And lastly whether if the Law be relaxable, God might not have released his Son from the suffering, rather then have put him to so great torment, and so have freely pardoned the offendours? I shall briefly answer to all these.