Obj▪ It is prerequisite as an Instrument? Ans. Of this I shall speak by it self anon. By an Instrument I hope when considered they will not mean any proper efficient Instrument of Justification (Though in exciting, the acts of Sanctification in us it may be called our Instrument and Gods by us:) But justifying is wholly and only Gods Act, and the Covenant as an Act of oblivion, and Grace is his Instrument• giving us our Right to impunity and Life, (in which our Constitutive, Justification doth consist) But they mean a Metaphorical Receiving Instrument, and to •eceive Christ is but the very essence of Faith, which they call the Tò credere, and so to be justified by Faith as it receiveth Christ, and as a receiving Instrument, and as it is the Tò credere in specie, are all one. And all this is true, if you ask but for what Natural aptitude God made Faith the Condition of Justification: And it's more aptly called by the foresaid Dr. Causa dispositiva; and yet more aptly dispositio receptiva moralis, necessary and successful, aptitudinally in its Nature, and Actually by the tenor of Gods Promise or Donation, making it a Condition: that is, saying [He that believeth shall be justified and saved, and he that doth not shall be damned.] if God had not given Christ and Life by a Promise of this Tenor, [If thou believe thou shalt have Christ and Life,] it's aptitude would have ⟨p. 17⟩had no use. If the King by an Act of Oblivion say [All Rebels and Malefactors that thankfully come and take out their pardon, and lay down arms shall live, and the rest shall be unpardonable.] Here, 1. The Act of Oblivion is the pardoning Instrument, and the receivers Title and fundamentum juris 2. The Reception is made a Condition by the Act being the modus donandi seu condonandi. 3. Next this Condition is performed. 4. And next the effect followeth from it's proper efficient causes, e. g. suppose, 1. The Kings Clemency. 2. His Sons Intercession. 3. The Act of Oblivion's Instrumentality. 4. The Offenders performing the Condition, which doth but make him a capable Receiver of the Effect. 5. And lastly, the Ministers instrumental applicatory sealing, delivering and investiture. This is all plain, to men that by prejudice fight not against the light.
Obj▪ It is prerequisite as an Instrument? Ans. Of this I shall speak by it self anon. By an Instrument I hope when considered they will not mean any proper efficient Instrument of Justification (Though in exciting, the acts of Sanctification in us it may be called our Instrument and Gods by us:) But justifying is wholly and only Gods Act, and the Covenant as an Act of oblivion, and Grace is his Instrument• giving us our Right to impunity and Life, (in which our Constitutive, Justification doth consist) But they mean a Metaphorical Receiving Instrument, and to •eceive Christ is but the very essence of Faith, which they call the Tò credere, and so to be justified by Faith as it receive•h Christ, and as a receiving Instrument, and as it is the Tò credere in specie, are all one. And all this is true, if you ask but for what Natural aptitude God made Faith the Condition of Justification: And it's more aptly called by the foresaid Dr. Causa dispositiva; and yet more aptly dispositio receptiva moralis, necessary and successful, aptitudinally in its Nature, and Actually by the tenor of Gods Promise or Donation, making it a Condition: that is, saying [He that believeth shall be justified and saved, and he that doth not shall be damned.] if God had not given Christ and Life by a Promise of this Tenor, [If thou believe thou shalt have Christ and Life,] it's aptitude would have ⟨p. 17⟩had no use. If the King by an Act of Oblivion say [All Rebels and Malefactors that thankfully come and take out their pardon, and lay down arms shall live, and the rest shall be unpardonable.] Here, 1. The Act of Oblivion is the pardoning Instrument, and the receivers Title and fundamentum juris 2. The Reception is made a Condition by the Act being the modus donandi seu condonandi. 3. Next this Condition is performed. 4. And next the effect followeth from it's proper efficient causes, e. g. suppose, 1. The Kings Clemency. 2. His Sons Intercession. 3. The Act of Oblivions Instrumentality. 4. The Offenders performing the Condition, which doth but make him a capable Receiver of the Effect. 5. And lastly, the Ministers instrumental applicatory sealing, delivering and investiture. This is all plain, to men that by prejudice fight not against the light.
