The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

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.

4. This necessary Law, so far forth as it was necessary, did immediately and unavoidably ensue upon the constitution of our natures in Relation unto God. Supposing the nature, being, and properties of God, with the works of Creation on the one hand; and suppose the being, existence and the nature of man, with his necessary Relation unto God, on the other, and the Law whereof we speak is nothing but the Rule of that Relation, which can neither be, nor be preserved without it. Hence is this Law eternal, indispensable, admitting of no other variation, than doth the Relation between God and man, which is a necessary exurgence from their distinct natures and properties.