theirfeveral parts to a Chrifitans Comfort. which is either r. TheLaw of Innocency, or z. The LawofGrace: Andt no man fince the fall can Merit of God according to the Jufticeof the Lawof Innocency, which exa&teth perfonal perfedlion. V II I. The Law of Grace is in its fiat notion, a free gift ofChriff, Pardon andRght toLife Eternal by Adoption, to all that will Accept it believingly as it is offered , that is, according to the nature of the Gift. And thisGift or Conditional promife and pardon noman canmerst: For Chriffs perfcd Righteoufnefs and Sacrifice hash already merited it for us and fohath left us no filchwork to do : Nor is there the loftplace for any humaneMerit or Rewardablenefs from God, bat on fuppofitionof s.Chrifts Merits and Meritorioris Righteoufnefs, z. And of this free gift or Ac`t of Oblivion andLife, alreadymade to uswithout our defert. I X. But yet this is not a meet Gift,but alto a true Law: Cod is (till our God and Governour, and Chrift is Lord ofall, Rom. 54. 9. He that is a King andRuler bath his Laws and judgement: That which is a Gift in the firft refpeét, bath t. Its condition, z. Many commandedduties, and fo; is a Law of Grace inother refpeäs. And it is only in refpeft o this Law ofGrace that man is Rewardable, orcan Merit. X. TheGift is from God as Benefactor, confidered as Good and in it fclf. But it is from God as Sapiential Reeler quoad ordinem conferendi, as tothe order and Reafon why one man rather than another receiveth itt go that we Merit not ofGod as Benefac`for nor as Reeaar by the Law of Innocency or works 3 nor yet as to the Value or Goodnefs of the Benefit; which is a free Gift : But only of God as Reior by theLaw ofGrete, which regulateth the Reception of his free gifts, merited by the perfeet Righteoufnefs of Chrift, and fo only as to the Order and Reafon wlìy one more than another receiveth that free gift. As if a Father bath many Sons, One livingobediently, Othersplaying the prodigals, and upon his freely-offered pardon and grace one receiveth it thankfully, and the otherrefufeth itfcornfully: Here both the obedient and the penitent fon , have all upon free gift, as to Commutative Ju- fice; but on various terms: And yet both merit in point ofpaternal Go- verningJoftice s but very differently: One merited' of ftriét Fatherly Ju- flics. The other only of a forgiving Father, quite on other terms : And it is a Comparative Merit, by which he is fitter for pardon than the Sons that defpife it, and fpit in theFathers face. X I. God asa Benefaliorand a Governour, giveth fome benefits Antece- dentiy to any duty of man : And thefe are never a Reward to us, ( but of Chrift perhaps, in fomeinftances.) As Legiflation, fo thebenefits of it, and that attend it, are before Reward and Judgement. But other bene- fits are given byGod both as Benefadlor and Legiflator, upon condition of Come duty of ours in the Antecedent gift , and fo in theJudicial fen- tenee and .execution that duty isrendered as the reafonofour adtualRight to them : And thefe are a Reward. X I I. Our firft Grace is no Reward, nor merited, becaufe it anteceded' all conditional duty of ours. X I it I. Our liet ReceptionofRight to Chrifl, Pardonand Life, being given on the condition ofpenitent Acceptance in faith, may be called a Reward, becaufe they are confequent gifts on condition : But becaufe the condition is fo (lender a thing as de thankful Acceptance of a free gift, Divines agree not of the fitnefs of the name [ Reward and Merit]while they wholly agree about the thing. But our after-mercies and finalGla- ry, being promifed on the condition of Inch a faith as worketh byLove, obedience and improvement ofGods mercies in good works, andpatience, perfe- 221
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