Of justification four disputations clearing and amicably defending the truth against the unnecessary oppositions…

Your next Objection is the same before answered, that [Gods Promise to justify, is only a declaration what he will do, and therefore a man is not by Covenant without a further Act justified, but justifiable.] Answer. Grotius de satisfact. will tell you, that Promises give right to him to whom they are made: and that therefore they cannot be reclaimed, though threatenings may. But if these were only Promises that God will by another Act do this or that for us, then it were to the purpose that you say: but that you cannot prove. Nor needs there any other Act, but the moral Action of the Instrument it self to change our Relations here: Et frustra fit pro plura, &c. Indeed an Act of ours [Believing] must come in before the effect: but you and I are agreed, that this is but conditional, and not effective. These Promises therefore being also Gods Law, Testament (of Christ) Deed of Gift, Covenant, &c. they do not only foretell an Event to come to pass by some other Action; but they do confer a Right or make due the benefit or relation, and so effect it; only the Author is pleased to suspend the effect of his Instrument, till we perform the Condition. As if by a Lease, or Deed of Sale, there be some Office or Dignity made over to you: or some command in Army or Court, or Country: or by a Law a Foreigner be Naturalized or Enfranchised, on such or such a Condition; This Lease or Deed, or Law doth not only foretell, but effect the thing.

Your next Objection is the same before answered, that [Gods Promise to justifie, is only a declaration what he will do, and therefore a man is not by Covenant without a further Act justified, but justifiable.] Answer. Grotius de satisfact. will tell you, that Promises give right to him to whom they are made: and that therefore they cannot be reclaimed, though threatnings may. But if these were only Promises that God will by another Act do this or that for us, then it were to the purpose that you say: but that you cannot prove. Nor needs there any other Act, but the moral Action of the Instrument it self to change our Relations here: Et frustra fit pro plura, &c. Indeed an Act of ours [Believing] must come in before the effect: but you and I are agreed, that this is but conditional, and not effective. These Promises therefore being also Gods Law, Testament (of Christ) Deed of Gift, Covenant, &c. they do not only foretell an Event to come to pass by some other Action; but they do confer a Right or make due the benefit or relation, and so effect it; only the Author is pleased to suspend the effect of his Instrument, till we perform the Condition. As if by a Lease, or Deed of Sale, there be some Office or Dignity made over to you: or some command in Army or Court, or Country: or by a Law a Foraigner be Naturalized or Enfranchized, on such or such a Condition; This Lease or Deed, or Law doth not only foretel, but effect the thing.