The true doctrine of justification asserted and vindicated, from the errors of Papists, Arminians,…The true doctrine of justification asserted and vindicated, from the errours of Papists, Arminians,…

Thirdly, It is difficult to conceive,¹ how Christ should represent any to his Father, thereby to partake of the heavenly blessings which come by him, till they do actually believe, and are incorporated in him, for they are not his Members till they ⟨p. 178⟩do believe: and till they are his Members, he cannot as an head represent them. It is true, God knoweth whom he hath elected, and to whom in time he will give faith, whereby they may be united to Christ, and so it's in Gods purpose and intention to give Justification and Sanctification to all his elect: but these being mercies vouchsafed in time, and limited to such qualifications in the subject, I see not how they can be said to be justified in Christ (before they do believe) otherwise then virtually and meritoriously. It is true, we are all condemned in Adam, because that was a Covenant made with him and his posterity, so that the issues thereof fell upon them by a natural and necessary way: but it is not so in the second Adam. Neither do those places, Ephes. 2.5, 6. Colos. 2.13, 14. prove any more, then that in and through him, we do obtain such mercies there spoken off: and although we are said to sit in heavenly places already, yet that is because of the certain right we have thereunto; in which sense also, he that believeth is said to have eternal life; and Christ being the first fruits doth sanctify the whole lump.

Thirdly, It is difficult to conceive,¹ how Christ should represent any to his Father, thereby to partake of the heavenly blessings which come by him, till they do actually beleeve, and are incorporated in him, for they are not his Members till they ⟨p. 178⟩do believe: and till they are his Members, he cannot as an head represent them. It is true, God knoweth whom he hath elected, and to whom in time he will give faith, whereby they may be united to Christ, and so it's in Gods purpose and intention to give Justification and Sanctification to all his elect: but these being mercies vouchsafed in time, and limited to such qualifications in the subject, I see not how they can be said to be justified in Christ (before they do believe) otherwise then virtually and meritoriously. It is true, we are all condemned in Adam, because that was a Covenant made with him and his posterity, so that the issues thereof fell upon them by a natural and necessary way: but it is not so in the second Adam. Neither do those places,