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

That as every one that looked on the Serpent was cured (an easy condition,) so every one that believeth Christ to be the appointed Redeemer, and heartily Accepteth him on the terms he is offered, and so trusteth in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. 4. That as the cure of their bodies came not from any natural reason drawn from the eye, or from any natural excellency or efficacy of seeing, above hearing or feeling, but merely from the free will and pleasure of God, who ordained that looking should be the condition of their cure: So all those Acts (usually comprised or implied in the word believing) which justify, do it not from any natural excellency, efficacy or instrumentality, but merely from the good pleasure of the Lawgiver: And therefore the natural Receptivity of Faith (that is its very formal essence) must not be given as the proper direct cause of its Justifying: But that is, its conditionality from the free appointment of God. But on the other side, 1. It was only one Act of one sense which was the condition of their cure: but you will not say I believe that it is only one act of one faculty which justifieth: however I will not. 2. It was the Act of seeing which cured them, without touching, laying hold on, apprehending, resting on, &c. But you will not say so of justifying faith. 3. The sight, which was the condition of their cure, was no actual reception of the brazen ⟨p. 230⟩Serpent, but the species of that Serpent by the eye; and so the eye did no otherwise receive the Serpent, then it received every Object it behold, even the Serpent that stung them. But if you say, that our receiving Christ is but per simplicem apprehensionem objecti, and that it is a receiving of his species, and so that we receive Christ no otherwise then we receive Satan, or any Object of Knowledge, I will not be of that opinion. 4. Their cure was simul & semel: but our Justification is a continued Act; as really in doing all our lives, as at first. 5 Therefore though one act finished their cure, and there was no condition prescribed as requisite for the consummation or continuance: yet when our Justification is begun, and we truly justified, there is further conditions prescribed for its continuance and consummation.

That as every one that looked on the Serpent was cured (an easie condition,) so every one that believeth Christ to be the appointed Redeemer, and heartily Accepteth him on the terms he is offered, and so trusteth in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. 4. That as the cure of their bodies came not from any natural reason drawn from the eye, or from any natural excellency or efficacy of seeing, above hearing or feeling, but meerly from the free will and pleasure of God, who ordained that looking should be the condition of their cure: So all those Acts (usually comprized or implyed in the word believing) which justifie, do it not from any natural excellency, efficacy or instrumentality, but meerly from the good pleasure of the Lawgiver: And therefore the natural Receptivity of Faith (that is its very formal essence) must not be given as the proper direct cause of its Justifying: But that is, its conditionality from the free appointment of God. But on the other side, 1. It was only one Act of one sense which was the condition of their cure: but you will not say I believe that it is only one act of one faculty which justifieth: however I will not. 2. It was the Act of seeing which cured them, without touching, laying hold on, apprehending, resting on, &c. But you will not say so of justifying faith. 3. The sight, which was the condition of their cure, was no actuall reception of the brazen