A53686:776
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 13: The nature of Justification proved from the difference of the Covenants.
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. Hence two things belonged unto this Covenant. (1.) That all things were transacted immediately between God and Man. There was no Mediator in it, no one to undertake any thing, either on the part of God or Man, between them. For the whole depending on every ones Personal obedience, there was no place for a Mediator. (2.) That nothing but perfect sinless obedience would be accepted with God, or preserve the Covenant in its Primitive state and condition. There was nothing in it as to pardon of sin, no provision for any defect in Personal obedience.
4. Wherefore this Covenant being once established between God and Man, there could be no new Covenant made, unless the Essential Form of it were of another nature; namely, that our own Personal obedience be not the rule and cause of our Acceptation and Justification before God. For ⟨p. 398⟩whilst this is so, as was before observed, the Covenant is still the same; however the Dispensation of it may be reformed or reduced, to suit unto our present state and condition. What Grace soever might be introduced into it, that could not be so, which excluded all Works from being the cause of our Justification. But if a new Covenant be made, such Grace must be provided as is absolutely inconsistent with any Works of ours, as unto the first ends of the Covenant, as the Apostle declares, Rom. 11.6.
4. Wherefore this Covenant being once established between God and Man, there could be no new Covenant made, unless the Essential Form of it were of another nature; namely, that our own Personal obedience be not the rule and cause of our Acceptation and Justification before God. For ⟨p. 398⟩whil'st this is so, as was before observed, the Covenant is still the same; however the Dispensation of it may be reformed or reduced, to suit unto our present state and condition. What Grace soever might be introduced into it, that could not be so, which excluded all Works from being the cause of our Justification. But if a new Covenant be made, such Grace must be provided as is absolutely inconsistent with any Works of ours, as unto the first ends of the Covenant, as the Apostle declares,