The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

But there is no force in this Argument. For it belongs not unto the nature of a Surety, by whom he is or may be designed unto his Office and Work therein. His own voluntary susception of the Office and Work, is all that is required, however he may be designed or induced to undertake it. He who of his own accord doth voluntarily undertake for another, on what Grounds, Reasons, or Considerations soever he doth so, is his Surety. And this the Lord Christ did in the behalf of the Church. For when it was said, Sacrifice and burnt-Offering and whole burnt-Offerings for sin, God would not have, or accept as sufficient to make the Atonement that he required, so as that the Covenant might be established and made effectual unto us, then said he, Lo I come to do thy Will O God, Heb. 10.5.6. He willingly and voluntarily out of his own abundant goodness and love, took upon him to make Atonement for us, wherein he was our Surety. And ⟨p. 258⟩accordingly this undertaking is ascribed unto that love which he exercised herein, Gal. 2.20. 1 Joh. 3.16. Rev. 1.5. And there was this in it moreover, that he took upon him our nature or the Seed of Abraham, wherein he was our Surety. So that although we neither did nor could appoint him so to be, yet he took from us, that wherein and whereby he was so, which is as much as if we had designed him unto his work, as to the true Reason of his being our Surety. Wherefore notwithstanding those antecedent Transactions that were between the Father and him in this matter, it was the voluntary Engagement of himself to be our Surety, and his taking our nature upon him for that end, which was the formal Reason of his being instated in that Office.

But there is no force in this Argument. For it belongs not unto the nature of a Surety, by whom he is or may be designed unto his Office and Work therein. His own voluntary susception of the Office and Work, is all that is required, however he may be designed or induced to undertake it. He who of his own accord doth voluntarily undertake for another, on what Grounds, Reasons, or Considerations soever he doth so, is his Surety. And this the Lord Christ did in the behalf of the Church. For when it was said, Sacrifice and burnt-Offering and whole burnt-Offerings for sin, God would not have, or accept as sufficient to make the Atonement that he required, so as that the Covenant might be established and made effectual unto us, then said he, Loe I come to do thy Will O God,