The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

5. The substance of this Law was, that man adhering unto God, absolutely, universally, unchangeably, uninterruptedly, in trust, love, and fear, as the chiefest good, the first Author ⟨p. 342⟩of his being, of all the present and future Advantages whereof it was capable, should yield Obedience unto him, with respect unto his infinite Wisdom, Righteousness and Almighty Power, to protect, reward, and punish, in all things known to be his will and pleasure, either by the light of his own mind, or especial Revelation made unto him. And it is evident that no more is required unto the constitution and establishment of this Law, but that God be God, and Man be Man, with the necessary Relation that must thereon ensue between them. Wherefore

6. This Law doth eternally and unchangeably oblige all men unto Obedience to God; even that Obedience which it requires, and in the manner wherein it requires it. For both the substance of what it requires, and the manner of the performance of it, as unto measures and degrees, are equally necessary and unalterable, upon the suppositions laid down. For God cannot deny himself, nor is the nature of man changed as unto the essence of it whereunto alone respect is had in this Law, by any thing that can fall out. And although God might superadd unto the original Obligations of this Law, what Arbitrary commands he pleased, such as did not necessarily proceed or arise from the Relation between him and us, which might be, and be continued without them; yet would they be resolved into that Principle of this Law, that God in all things was absolutely to be trusted and obeyed.

7. Known unto God are all his Works from the foundation of the World. In the constitution of this order of things he made it possible, and foresaw it would be future, that man would rebel against the preceptive power of this Law, and disturb that order of things wherein he was placed under his moral Rule. This gave occasion unto that effect of infinite Divine Righteousness, in constituting the punishment that man should fall under upon his Transgression of this Law.