A53686:749
The Doctrine of Justification by Faith
The doctrine of justification by faith through the imputation of the righteousness of Christ, explained, confirmed, & vindicated by John Owen ...
London: printed for R. Boulter, 1677
Chapter 12: The Imputation of the Obedience of Christ unto the Law, Declared and Vindicated.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. In this state, the Law is the only instrument and means of the continuance of the Relation between God and him. Wherefore under this consideration it cannot but still oblige him unto Obedience, unless we shall say, that by his sin he hath exempted himself from the Government of God. Wherefore it is by the Law, that the Rule and Government of God over Men, is continued whilst they are in statu Viatorum: For every Disobedience, every Transgression of its Rule and Order as to its commanding Power casteth us afresh, and further, under its Power of obliging unto Punishment.
3. In this state, the Law is the only instrument and means of the continuance of the Relation between God and him. Wherefore under this consideration it cannot but still oblige him unto Obedience, unless we shall say, that by his sin he hath exempted himself from the Government of God. Wherefore it is by the Law, that the Rule and Government of God over Men, is continued whilest they are in statu Viatorum: For every Disobedience, every Transgression of its Rule and Order as to its commanding Power casteth us afresh, and further, under its Power of obliging unto Punishment.
Neither can these things be otherwise; neither can any Man living, not the worst of Men, choose but judge himself ⟨p. 383⟩whilst he is in this World, obliged to give Obedience unto the Law of God, according to the notices that he hath of it by the light of nature or otherwise. A wicked servant that is punished for his fault, if it be with such a punishment as yet continues his Being, and his state of servitude is not by his Punishment freed from an Obligation unto Duty, according unto the Rule of it. Yea, his Obligation unto Duty, with respect unto that crime for which he was punished, is not dissolved, until his punishment be capital, and so put an end unto his state. Wherefore seeing that by the pardon of sin, we are freed only from the Obligation unto Punishment, there is moreover required unto our Justification, an Obedience unto what the Law requireth.