The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

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. ⟨p. 343⟩Neither was this an effect of Arbitrary will and pleasure, any more than the Law it self was. Upon the supposition of the Creation of man, the Law mentioned was necessary from all the Divine Properties of the nature of God; And upon a supposition that man would Transgress that Law, God being now considered as his Ruler and Governor, the Constitution of the punishment due unto his Sin and Transgression of it, was a necessary effect of Divine Righteousness. This it would not have been, had the Law it self been Arbitrary. But that being necessary, so was the penalty of this Transgression. Wherefore the constitution of this penalty, is liable to no more change, alteration, or abrogation, then the Law it self, without an alteration in the state and relation between God and man.