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

By the first we receive the Person of Christ as a woman in Marriage doth first receive the Person of her Husband. This is our Implantation into Christ the true Vine, and gives us that Union with him, which must go before Communion and Communication of his Graces, and so before justification. The second of Faiths Acts are those that apprehend the Benefits which he offereth; Of which Justification is one and this is strictly the Justifying Act of Faith, and followeth the former. So that (said he) it is true that the first Act which apprehendeth Christs person doth take him as King, Priest, and Prophet, as Head and Husband that we may be united to him: but the following acts which Receive his Benefits do not so, but are suited to the several benefits.]

The opinion is subtle, and I perceived by his Readiness in it, that it was one of his old studied points, and that he had been long of that mind; my answer to him was this: [You much confirm me in what I have received: for you grant the principal thing that I desire; but you add something more which I cannot fully close with, but shall plainly tell you what are my apprehensions of it. First, You grant that the act of faith by which we are united to Christ, and which goes first, is the Believing in, or Receiving whole Christ as Priest, Prophet, and King. This will do all that I desire. Secondly, You add, that another act, even the Receiving of his Righteousness is after necessary, that we may be justified Your reason seems to be drawn from the difference of the effects: Union goes before Justification, therefore the uniting act goes before the justifying act. This is it that I deny; My Reasons are these. First, Scripture distinguisheth between our Union with Christ and our Justification: but no where between the uniting and justifying acts of faith. Secondly, The nature of the thing requireth it not, because faith justifies not ⟨p. 9⟩by a Physical causality, as fire warmeth me; but by the moral interest of a condition: and the same act may be the Condition of divers benefits. Thirdly, Scripture hath express, made the Receiving of the person in his Relations to be the Condition of the participation of his benefits: [As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God;