(265) ter claim to Chrifts Merits, then Infidels, though Elect: And yet 1 thank God I do not ufe to hear Minifters in prayer ( nor any Chriftians ) talk to God in this language, and fay , We have by Merit as good right to heaven, as the Reprobate to hell. Nay more, I doubt not to prove, that Chrift never communicates his Merit in its formal nature, to any man ; but only the effects of it : He gives us his Merit, as a man gives a prifoner z 000. which indeed he never (hewed him in it felf,or gave him, but only gave it the King for his ranfom. It was not I that Merited but Chrift, and I am no further under it then to partake of the fruits of it and that is by Degrees, inwhat time and meafure he feeth meet to give them out to me : which is not all at once,nor all per- fectly, till anotherworld. It is not of anyforce to fay, that they are not under that c..Mcrit, but only upon Condition. For this is I. Falfe. 2 With God this is all one, as if there wereno Condition, at thefeafon and term appointed, for the making out thefruit of that Merit, as bath beendeclared. I confefs it is offmall force, till they knowwhat you will mean by under Merit ; t. If youwill mean, that we are efteemed the Meritors, I confefs it is falfe. For this is never true , or made out either Conditionallyor Abfolutely : no more then that you limit be Chrift. Yet this feems plainly your meaning ; but the proof we want. 2. If you mean it of the effects of Chrifts Merits, they are of feveral forts, and he that (hall fay, they are all given tous Condi- tionally, would fay as well as you, it is falfe. 3. But if it be the fpecial fruit that we have in queftion viz. Abfolution from guilt, or actual right to it, I fay that is given,on. Condition, or elfe ff is not a Conditional term. If thou confefs with thy mouth the Lord Jefus, and believe in thy heart that God railed him from the dead, thou fhalt be Caved. Rom. a o. And to fay this is falfe, weighs as much with me, as your former rea- fonings to prove it falfe, which I may not now axa mine. And where you fay, With God this is all one at the (eafon, &c. I Reply. i. And do you confefs it is not all onewith him before the feafon or term ? 2. Thequeftion is rather what it is with us,then with God ; when we enquire whether we be the fubjects of that Merit and Right. 3. It is not true nor proved , that it is all one with God. God feeth things as they are, and therefore leech not Mm divers
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