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,…

5. In some kind of gross sins, although there may be deep humiliation, yet there are many other conditions requisite,¹ without which pardon of sin cannot be obtained, and that is in sins of injustice, violence, and fraud of others. Thus Zacheus, it is not enough for him to believe Christ the Messiah, and receive him into his house. but he makes satisfaction where he hath done wrong. Thus our Saviour also, Mat. 5. If thou remember any man have ought against thee, leave thy gift at the Altar, and go and be reconciled. It is a known saying of Austin, Non remittitur peccatum, nisi restituatur ablatum: The sin is not remitted, unless what thou hast unjustly taken be restored. And it is a most wretched perverting of the sense, which an Antinomian makes (Reconcil. with God, pag 90.) that this reconciliation is to be made of man to man, but not true in respect of God to man; and whereas the same Author speaks of Zacheus, that he did believe first, and afterwards made restitution: which (pag. 91.) he calls an example beyond all exception; let him the second time consider Zacheus his expression, and he will see it nothing to his purpose. The words are in the present tense, Luke 19.8. Behold Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. and if I have wronged any man, I give him four-fold. Now either Zacheus means this of his former life past, or else he declares his ready and prepared will for the time to come; and there are Interpreters of both sides, and which way soever you expound it, it overthroweth the adversaries tenet. For if it be understood of his course of life, formerly past, then it goeth clear against him. If of his readiness of mind for the future, it makes nothing for him. For although by this it will appear, That Zacheus did joyfully receive Christ before he made actual restitution, yet not before he had a preparedness, and resolution of heart to do it. And certainly Zacheus speaking thus to Christ, Behold I give, cannot but be understood, that this penitent frame of heart was upon him before he said so. If Zacheus speaks this of his former course of ⟨p. 210⟩life, then he doth manifest this not in a way of pride or ostentation, but to see whether Christ would command him to do otherwise, so that he might be thought to say this, for instruction sake, to be directed for the future.