The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

3. It is said therefore that by our own personal Obedience we do answer the Righteousness of the Law so far as it is required of us. But whereas no sober person can imagine that we can, or that any one in our lapsed condition ever did yield in our own persons that perfect sinless Obedience unto God which is required of us in the Law of Creation, two things are supposed that our Obedience, such as it is, may be accepted with God as if it were sinless and perfect. For although some will not allow that the Righteousness of Christ is imputed unto us for what it is, yet they contend that our own Righteousness is imputed unto us for what it is not. Of these things the one respecteth the Law, the other our Obedience.

14. That which respecteth the Law is not the Abrogation of it. For although this would seem the most expedite way for the Reconciliation of this Difficulty, namely, that the Law of Creation is utterly abrogated by the Gospel, both as unto its Obligation unto Obedience and Punishment; and no Law to be continued in force but that which requires only sincere Obedience of us, whereof there is as unto Duties the manner of their performance, not any absolute Rule or Measure, yet this is not by many pretended. They say not ⟨p. 350⟩that this Law is so abrogated, as that it should not have the power and efficacy of a Law towards us. Nor is it possible it should be so; nor can any pretence be given how it should so be. It is true, it was broken by man, is so by us all, and that with respect unto its principal End of our Subjection unto God, and dependence upon him, according to the Rule of it. But it is foolish to think that the fault of those unto whom a Righteous Law is rightly given, should abrogate or disannul the Law it self. A Law that is good and just may cease and expire as unto any power of Obligation upon the ceasing or expiration of the Relation which it did respect. So the Apostle tells us, that when the Husband of a Woman is dead, she is free from the Law of her Husband, Rom. 7.2. But the Relation between God and us, which was constituted in our first Creation, can never cease. But a Law cannot be abrogated without a new Law given, and made by the same, or an equal power that made it, either expressly revoking it, or enjoining things inconsistent with it, and contradictory unto its observation. In the latter way the Law of Mosaical Institutions was abrogated and disannulled. There was not any positive Law made for the taking of it away; but the Constitution and Introduction of a new way of Worship by the Gospel inconsistent with it, and contrary unto it, deprived it of all its obligatory power and efficacy. But neither of these ways hath God taken away the obligation of the Original Law of Obedience, either as unto Duties or Recompenses of Reward. Neither is there any direct Law made for its Abrogation; nor hath he given any new Law of moral Obedience either inconsistent with, or contrary unto it. Yea in the Gospel it is declared to be established and fulfilled.