First, The Power of Christ as an Owner and free Lord, is to be distinguished from his power as a Governor and Ruler. As a free Lord, he hath mercy on whom he will have mercy: As a Governor and Ruler, so he judgeth the World in righteousness, or according to the Law or stated Rule which he hath given of his Will. With respect to the one, 'tis not in him that willeth, or in him that runneth, but in God that showeth mercy. But with respect to the other, so run that you may obtain. Compare Rom. 9.16. with 1 Cor. 9.24. for God that is arbitrary in his Gifts, is not arbitrary in his Judgments. His Law and the Precepts of it is the Rule of our Duty; but in the Sanction of it 'tis the Rule of Gods Process. But as an Owner he discovereth his Sovereignty and Dominion; as a Ruler or Judge, his Justice or Righteousness: All acts and matters of free favour are dispensed by him as a Lord, but matters of right and wrong come before him as a Judge. The Good man of the House pleaded ill, I may do with my own as it pleaseth me, Mat. 20.15. that belongeth to a Supreme Owner. Besides, his being an Owner goeth before his being a Ruler, and is the foundation of it: For his absolute Propriety in us, giveth him a legislative power over us, to dispose of us or command us according to his own will. He may give his Creatures what Rules he pleaseth, and order them to what ends he thinketh good, and bind them to observe his Order upon what terms he will. I am the Lord, Lev. 18.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Therefore before the course of Government established between him and the World, he is first considered as an Owner.
First, The Power of Christ as an Owner and free Lord, is to be distinguished from his power as a Governour and Ruler. As a free Lord, he hath mercy on whom he will have mercy: As a Governour and Ruler, so he judgeth the World in righteousness, or according to the Law or stated Rule which he hath given of his Will. With respect to the one, 'tis not in him that willeth, or in him that runneth, but in God that sheweth mercy. But with respect to the other, so run that you may obtain. Compare Rom. 9.16. with 1 Cor. 9.24. for God that is arbitrary in his Gifts, is not arbitrary in his Judgments. His Law and the Precepts of it is the Rule of our Duty; but in the Sanction of it 'tis the Rule of Gods Process. But as an Owner he discovereth his Sovereignty and Dominion; as a Ruler or Judge, his Justice or Righteousness: All acts and matters of free favour are dispensed by him as a Lord, but matters of right and wrong come before him as a Judge. The Good man of the House pleaded ill, I may do with my own as it pleaseth me, Mat. 20.15. that belongeth to a Supream Owner. Besides, his being an Owner goeth before his being a Ruler, and is the foundation of it: For his absolute Propriety in us, giveth him a legislative power over us, to dispose of us or command us according to his own will. He may give his Creatures what Rules he pleaseth, and order them to what ends he thinketh good, and bind them to observe his Order upon what terms he will. I am the Lord, Lev. 18.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Therefore before the course of Government established between him and the World, he is first considered as an Owner.
