(2,17) vel defetla agentlo , ye/ indifpofithne V iaterix, t f, 4 a.I.C. 3. My third propofition is,that the Recept:v'ty orapprehenf'on znkich is truly ofthe nature offaith, isyet' but its aptitude to its ?u f if) ing office, andfo a remote andnot the direct proper formal reafon : And this is the main point that I infift on : And it is evident, in all that is laid already : and further thus, It faith had beenofthat apprehending nature as it is, and yet had not been made the condition in the gift or promife of God, it would not have juaif4d : but if it had been made the conditi- on , though it had been no apprehending ( but as any other duty,) yet it would have ¡unified : therefore it is evident that the nearet, proper reafon ofits power to juflifie is Gods ma- king it the condition of his gift, and its receptive nature is but a remote reafon i . If faith would have ¡unified , though it had not been a condition, then it muf# have ¡unified againft Gods will, which is impoflible : it is God that juftifieth and therefore we cannot be a caufe ofhis Action. a. It is evident alto from the nature of this moral reception, which being but a willingnefs andcontent , cannot of its own nature make the thing our own, but as it is by the meer will of the donor made the condition ofhis offer or gift. If I am willing to be Lord ofany Lands or Countreys, it will not make me fo : but if the true owner fay, I will give them thee if thou wilt accept them, then it will be fo : therefore it is not fire and 'directly from the nature ofthe reception,but firft hecaufe that reception is made the condition ofthe gift. If a condemned man be wit- ling to be pardoned, he (hall not therefore be pardoned : but if a pardon be given on condition he be willing or accept it, then he ffiali have it. If a poor woman content to have a Prince for her husband, and fo to have his poffelfions, it (hall not therefore be done, except he give himfeifto her on condi- tion ofher content. If it were a meer phyfical reception, and we (poke ofa poffeffionde facto offomewhat that is fo appred henlîble, then it would be otherwife : as he that getteth gold or a pearl in his hand, he bath fuch a poffefsion : But when it is but a moral improper reception (though per acetify ph,Acton vofendi vel con/entiend ) ,and when we fpeak of a pofTefsion f in
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