The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

2. Upon a supposition of some free Acts of the will of God and the execution of them, constituting an order in the things that outwardly are of him, and their mutual respect unto one another, some things may become necessary in this Relative state, whose being was not absolutely necessary in its own nature. The order of all things and their mutual respect unto one another, depends on Gods free Constitution, ⟨p. 341⟩no less then their being absolutely. But upon a supposition of that Constitution, things have in that order, a necessary Relation one to another, and all of them unto God. Wherefore

3. It was a free Sovereign act of Gods will to create, effect or produce such a Creature as man is; that is, of a nature intelligent, rational, capable of moral Obedience with Rewards and Punishments. But on supposition hereof, man so freely made, could not be governed any other ways but by a moral Instrument of Law or Rule, influencing the rational faculties of his Soul unto Obedience, and guiding him therein. He could not in that constitution be contained under the Rule of God, by a mere Physical influence, as are all irrational or brute Creatures. To suppose it, is to deny or destroy, the essential faculty and powers wherewith he was created. Wherefore on the supposition of his being, it was necessary that a Law or Rule of Obedience should be prescribed unto him, and be the Instrument of Gods Government towards him.

3. It was a free Soveraign act of Gods will to create, effect or produce such a Creature as man is; that is, of a nature intelligent, rational, capable of moral Obedience with Rewards and Punishments. But on supposition hereof, man so freely made, could not be governed any other ways but by a moral Instrument of Law or Rule, influencing the rational faculties of his Soul unto Obedience, and guiding him therein. He could not in that constitution be contained under the Rule of God, by a mere Physical influence, as are all irrational or brute Creatures. To suppose it, is to deny or destroy, the essential faculty and powers wherewith he was created. Wherefore on the supposition of his being, it was necessary that a Law or Rule of Obedience should be prescribed unto him, and be the Instrument of Gods Government towards him.