Of free justification

Lest I should speak many things in vain, there is one Answer abundantly sufficient for all such Objections; that there is indeed necessarily required a sincere reformation of heart and life, in these who are to obtain life; as in an Heir, for whom there is appointed the possession of an Inheritance to be enjoyed, there is necessarily required dutifulness towards his Father, which dutifulness, nevertheless, when it is most exactly performed, is not any cause of obtaining the inheritance. And in like manner there is nothing that can be more certain, than that Repentance and Renovation do much commend the life of Christians to God; yet it makes them not Christians, neither doth it so much commend the person of the Penitent, as it is it self commended by the dignity of the man: who, if he is a Christian, his Repentance is approved. But, if he be an Alien from the faith, the lamenting of sin doth not at all profit for the obtaining of Righteousness, neither doth it take away Sin. But as you ¹say, Repentance hath Divine Promises, and indeed I am not against your Opinion in that, for God doth not desire the death of a Sinner, promising also life to him that repents. That's right. But let ⟨p. 69⟩us see how he promises it, and by pondering the Circumstances of things, times, and persons, let us consider what is promised, and to whom, and what is the true cause of promising. Indeed the old Law hath dark promises, the Gospel also hath its own promises, as both Covenants have likewise their own atonements. I do not deny it, but this I ask what manner of promises hath repentance in the Old Law? God promiseth life to them that return from their wickedness. What? doth he signify an eternal or a temporary peace and felicity of this outward life? If you answer an eternal, I would then know what difference there will be between Legal and Evangelical Promises? but when I do steadfastly contemplate upon the nature and kind of both times and testaments in the holy word of God, and compare the virtue of one Kingdom with the other, this seems to me to be the difference between Moses and Christ; that I suppose all his Blessings and Rewards promised by God ²to those that lead their life according to the prescript of the Law, go not beyond the bounds of a certain earthly blessedness and recompense. In which, notwithstanding we think there are contained no small benefits of God.