The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

But it is Faith alone that gives power and efficacy unto Gospel Commands, effectually to influence the Soul unto Obedience. Wherefore this Obligation is more powerfully constraining, as they are given unto those that are justified, then if they were given them in order unto their Justification.

Secondly, The Apostle answers, as we do also, Do we then make void the Law through Faith? God forbid; yea we establish the Law. For although the Law is principally established in and by the Obedience and Sufferings of Christ, Rom. 8.3, 4. Chap. 10.3, 4. Yet is it not, by the Doctrine of Faith and the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ unto the Justification of life, made void as unto Believers. ⟨p. 554⟩Neither of these do exempt them from that Obligation unto universal Obedience, which is prescribed in the Law. They are still obliged by virtue thereof to love the Lord their God with all their Hearts, and their Neighbours as themselves. They are indeed freed from the Law, and all its commands unto Duty as it abides in its first consideration, Do this and live, the opposite whereunto, is Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the Law to do them. For he that is under the Obligation of the Law in order unto Justification and Life, falls inevitably under the Curse of it, upon the supposition of any one Transgression. But we are made free to give Obedience unto it, on Gospel motives, and for Gospel ends, as the Apostle declares at large, Rom. 6. And the Obligation of it is such unto all Believers, as that the least Transgression of it hath the nature of sin. But are they hereon bound over by the Law unto everlasting punishment, or, as some phrase it, will God damn them that Transgress the Law, without which all this is nothing? I ask again what they think hereof; And upon a supposition that he will do so, what they further think will become of themselves? For my part I say no; even as the Apostle saith, There is no condemnation unto them that are in Christ Jesus. Where then, they will say, is the necessity of Obedience from the Obligation of the Law, if God will not damn them that Transgress it? And I say, it were well if some men did understand what they say in these things, or would learn, for a while at least, to hold their peace. The Law equally requires Obedience in all instances of Duty, if it require any at all. As unto its Obligatory power, it is capable neither of Dispensation nor Relaxation, so long as the essential differences of good and evil do remain.