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,…

4. By this they incur the guilt of eternal damnation. There is a two-fold guilt, as some distinguish, one potential (which by others is Reatus simplex, a simple guilt) another actual (which by others is Reatus redundans in personam, a guilt falling upon the person. Now it is upon all sides agreed, That by those sins he deserveth eternal damnation. And therefore a godly man so offending, ought to bewail the forfeiture he hath made. If God should deal with him according to that strict rule, Cursed be every one that abideth not in all the things that the Law requireth; where should he appear? But may we not say, they have an actual guilt obliging them to eternal wrath, not absolutely, but conditionally, till they take the means appointed by God for their pardon? I see not but in a sound sense this may be said, for God doth not will to them salvation, while they abide in that state, though at that time he wills to give them such effectual Grace, that thereby they shall recover, and so remove that gulf which is between them and God. So that at the same time God doth will to give them grace to repent and recover, and yet he doth not will salvation to them, till they do recover. Here is ⟨p. 241⟩no contrariety in Gods will, because though this be about the same person, yet not in the same respects: for Gods will not to give salvation while in such an estate, and to give Repentance that he may come out of that estate, do no ways oppose one another; and because of this later mercy, it is, that we may always say, There is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus. Their sins are never imputed to them for their condemnation, but there is a conditional obliging of them, till they sue out their pardon. So that it is here, as Solomon did with Abiathar ▪ 1 Kin. 2.26. Thou art (saith Solomon) worthy of death, but I will not at this time put thee to death.

4. By this they incur the guilt of eternal damnation. There is a two-fold guilt, as some distinguish, one potential (which by others is Reatus simplex, a simple guilt) another actual (which by others is Reatus redundans in personam, a guilt falling upon the person. Now it is upon all sides agreed, That by those sins he deserveth eternal damnation. And therefore a godly man so offending, ought to bewail the forfeiture he hath made. If God should deal with him according to that strict rule, Cursed be every one that abideth not in all the things that the Law requireth; where should he appear? But may we not say, they have an actual guilt obliging them to eternal wrath, not absolutely, but conditionally, till they take the means appointed by God for their pardon? I see not but in a sound sense this may be said, for God doth not will to them salvation, while they abide in that state, though at that time he wils to give them such effectual Grace, that thereby they shall recover, and so remove that gulf which is between them and God. So that at the same time God doth will to give them grace to repent and recover, and yet he doth not will salvation to them, till they do recover. Here is