9S Of Believing in jefus E R M. terms ; that inftead of infifting on an exact VII. conformity to his laws, as the condition of '' acceptance, which in a more perfe& ftate of human nature, might have been highly rea- fonable, he hath now in great compaffion, through Jefus Chrift, publifhed a new law, whereby the rigor of the firft is abated, and more favourable conditions are propofed. What can this in the nature of the thing be, but that a lefs perfeét, even a fincere obedi- ence, is accepted, fuch as we are able in this Rate of infirmity to perform ? We are con - ftantly taught by Chrift and his apoftles, nay, and by Wes and the prophets, though lefs clearly, that of his mercy God faveth (inners, and we are to approach him with confidence, (indeed, in his grace) if our hearts condemn us not for infincerity, but with contrition, remembering our offences and failures. Con - fequently it is not any thing elfe inftead of obedience, any perfect righteoufnefs imputed to us by which we are juftified, for then we Mould not have a requeft to the mercy of God for our acceptance, but a demand upon his juflice ; and whatever obligation we might have to our furety, we fhould have none to our judge, who would in that cafe be fup- pofed to have exacted the Taft farthing, and to be pleafed only with an equivalent or bet-
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