The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…

The occasion of their error is, that they consider only what it is in Christ the object of Faith which justifieth, sanctifieth, &c. and they think that the act only which is exercised on that object must do it; which is a gross mistake: Because Faith is not like taking of money, jewels, books, &c. into ones hand, which is a physical act which taketh possession of them: But it is a Jus or Debitum, a Right and Relation which we are morally and passively to receive, as constituting our first Justification and Pardon; and as the condition of this we are to take Christ for our Saviour, which is but a physical active metaphorical receiving, in order to the attainment of the said passive proper receiving (For recipere proprie est pati.)

The occasion of their errour is, that they consider only what it is in Christ the object of Faith which justifieth, sanctifieth, &c. and they think that the act only which is exercised on that object must do it; which is a gross mistake: Because Faith is not like taking of mony, jewels, books, &c. into ones hand, which is a physical act which taketh possession of them: But it is a Jus or Debitum, a Right and Relation which we are morally and passively to receive, as constituting our first Justification and Pardon; and as the condition of this we are to take Christ for our Saviour, which is but a physicial active metaphorical receiving, in order to the attainment of the said passive proper receiving (For recipere proprie est pati.)

If an Act be passed, that all Traitors and Rebels, who will give up themselves to the Kings Son, as one that hath ransomed them, to be taught and ruled by him, and reduced to their obedience, & to be their general in the wars against his enemies; shall have pardon, and lands, and honours, and further rewards after this service; here the Prince himself doth deliver them by his ransom, and enrich them by his lands, and honour them by his honour or power, &c. But their act of giving up themselves ⟨p. 344⟩to him under the notion of a Ransomer, doth no more to their deliverance, than their giving up themselves to him under the notion of a General or Ruler, &c. Because it doth not free them as it is such an act, but as it is an act made the condition of his gift.