The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

2. This Law, whereof we speak, was first given unto Man in innocency; and therefore the first power of it, was only in act: It obliged only unto Obedience. For an innocent person could not be obnoxious unto its sanction, which contained only an obligation unto punishment, on supposition of disobedience. It could not therefore oblige our first Parents unto Obedience and Punishment both, seeing its Obligation unto Punishment could not be in actual force, but on supposition of actual disobedience. A Moral Cause of, and Motive unto Obedience it was, and had an influence into the preservation of Man from sin. Unto that end it was said unto him, In the day thou eatest, thou shalt surely die. The neglect hereof, and of that ruling influence which it ought to have had on the minds of our first Parents, opened the door unto the entrance of sin. But it implies a contradiction, that an innocent person should be under an actual obligation unto punishment from the sanction of the Law. It bound only unto Obedience, as all Laws, with Penalties, do before their transgression. But

3. On the committing of sin, (and it is so with every one that is guilty of sin) Man came under an actual obligation unto punishment. This is no more questionable than whether at first he was under an Obligation unto Obedience. But then the Question is, whether the first Intention and Obligation of the Law unto Obedience, doth cease to affect the sinner, ⟨p. 382⟩or continue so, as at the same time to oblige him unto Obedience and Punishment, both its Powers being in act towards him. And hereunto I say

1. Had the Punishment threatened, been immediately inflicted unto the utmost of what was contained in it, this could have been no Question. For Man had died immediately both temporally and eternally, and been cast out of that state wherein alone he could stand in any relation unto the preceptive power of the Law. He that is finally executed, hath fulfilled the Law so, as that he owes no more obedience unto it.