The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

Sixthly, We can never state our Thoughts aright in this matter unless we have a clear Apprehension of, and satisfaction in, the Introduction of Grace by Jesus Christ into the ⟨p. 54⟩whole of our Relation unto God, with its respect unto all parts of our Obedience. There was no such thing, nothing of that nature or kind, in the first constitution of that Relation and Obedience by the Law of our Creation. We were made in a state of immediate Relation unto God in our own persons, as our Creator, Preserver and Rewarder. There was no mystery of Grace in the Covenant of Works. No more was required unto the consummation of that state, but what was given us in our Creation, enabling us unto rewardable Obedience. Do this and live, was sole Rule of our Relation unto God. There was nothing in Religion originally of that which the Gospel celebrates under the name of the Grace, Kindness and Love of God, whence all our favourable Relation unto God doth now proceed, and whereinto it is resolved; nothing of the Interposition of a Mediator with respect unto our Righteousness before God and Acceptance with him, which is at present the Life and Soul of Religion, the Substance of the Gospel, and the Centre of all the Truths revealed in it. The Introduction of these things is that which makes our Religion a mystery, yea a great mystery, if the Apostle may be believed, 1 Tim. 3.16. All Religion at first was suited and commensurable unto Reason; but being now become a mystery, men for the most part are very unwilling to receive it. But so it must be; and unless we are restored unto our primitive Rectitude, a Religion suited unto the principles of our Reason, which it hath none but what answer that first state, will not serve our Turns.

Wherefore of this Introduction of Christ and Grace in him, into our Relation unto God, there are no notions in the natural conceptions of our minds, nor are they discoverable by Reason in the best and utmost of its exercise, 1. Cor. 2.14. For before our understandings were darkened, and our Reason debased by the Fall, there were no such things revealed or proposed unto us; yea the supposition of them is inconsistent