unto the Law, Declared and Vindicated. 377 But there is another confideration of the Law of God, namely, as it is impofed on Creatures by efpecial difpenfati- on, for force time, and for force certain end ; with fume Confiderations, Rules, and Orders ,that belong not efléntial- ly unto the Law, as before defcribed. This is the nature of the Written Law of God, which the Lord Chrifl was made un- der, not neceffarily as a Creature, but by efpecial difpenfa . tion. For the Law, under this confideration, is prefented un- to us as fuch, not abfolutely and eternally, but whileft we are in this World, and that with this efpecial end, that by obe- dience thereunto, we may obtain the reward of Eternal Life. And it is evident, that the Obligation of the Law, under this confederation, ceafeth when we come to the injoyment ot` that Reward. It obligeth us no more formally by its com- mand, Do this and live,` when the life promifed, is injoyed. In this fenfe the Lord Chrift was not made fubjeíl unto the Lana for himfelf, nor did yield obedience unto it for himfelf. For he was not obliged unto it by virtue of his created conditi- on. Upon the firft luttant of the union of his natures, be- ing holy, harmlefs, undefiled, and feparate from (inners, he might, notwithftanding the Law that he was made fubje l unto, have been Elated in Glory. For he that was the objeí`l; of all Divine Worfhip, needed not any new Obedience, to pro- cure for him a Elate of Bleffednefs. And had he naturally, meerly by virtue of his being a Creature been fubje& unto the Law in this fenfe, he mutt have been fo eternally, which he is not. For thofe things which depend folely on the Natures of God and the Creature, are eternal and immutable. Wherefore, as the Law in this fenfe was given unto us, not abfolutely, but with refpdt unto a future fate and reward ; fo the Lord Chrift did voluntarily fubjeíl himfelf unto it for us, and his Obedience thereunto was for us, and not for himfelf, There things added unto what I have formerly written on this fubje&, whereunto nothing hash been oppofed, but a Ccc few
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