The Scripture Gospel defended, and Christ, grace, and free justification vindicated against the libertines…

Cont. 3. Whether the Covenant of grace have any condition required of us.

Ans. Here we first show our weakness in contending about the word [Condition] while we agree not of the sense, though till men made a difference on this ill occasion, there were few words that men were more agreed in (of such a Subject.) And the word we must use, hath no other name that I remember which our Grammar hath taught us to call such Conjunctions by as [If] is▪ but [Conditional] nor any other name that Law and Civil use hath taught us to call the thing defined by but [CONDITION] without circumlocution, uncouthness or obscurity. The common definition of Lawyers is that it is, [Lex addita negotio qua• donec praestetur eventum suspendit: It is in our case the Mode of the Law or Promise requiring a Duty or Moral Act or qualification, on the presence or absence, performance or non-performance whereof the Law or Donation annexeth or suspendeth the event. This is a Condition as it is in the▪ Law or Covenant, or Promise, being but its Modus: But as it is in the person and performance, it is a Moral Act or qualification, required by the Law, or Promise, to which it annexeth, and till it be performed suspendeth the event. Natural or merely contingent conditions that are not moral, belong not to our enquiry. (As if it be a fair day to morrow. If such a ship come safe home! If I live so long, &c.)

Ans. Here we first shew our weakness in contending about the word [Condition] while we agree not of the sense, though till men made a difference on this ill occasion, there were few words that men were more agreed in (of such a Subject.) And the word we must use, hath no other name that I remember which our Grammar hath taught us to call such Conjunctions by as [If] is▪ but [Conditional] nor any other name that Law and Civil use hath taught us to call the thing defined by but [CONDITION] without circumlocution, uncouthness or obscurity. The common definition of Lawyers is that it is, [Lex addita negotio qua• donec praestetur eventum suspendit: It is in our case the Mode of the Law or Promise requiring a Duty or Moral Act or qualification, on the presence or absence, performance or non-performance whereof the Law or Donation annexeth or suspendeth the event. This is a Condition as it is in the Law or Covenant, or Promise, being but its Modus: But as it is in the person and performance, it is a Moral Act or qualification, required by the Law, or Promise, to which it annexeth, and till it be performed suspendeth the event. Natural or meerly contingent conditions that are not moral, belong not to our enquiry. (As if it be a fair day to morrow. If such a ship come safe home! If I live so long, &c.)