S The Imputation of the obedience o f Chr or continue fo, as at the fame time to oblige him unto Obe- ''dience and Punilhment, both its Powers being in ac`l towards hint. And hereunto I fay T. Had the Punifhment threatened, been immediately in- iffed unto the utmoft of what was contained in it, this could have been no Queftion. For Man had died immediately both temporally and eternally, and been raft out of that Rate wherein alone he could fland in any relation unto the pre- ceptive power of the Law. He that is finally executed, hath fulfilled the Law fo, as -that he-ows no-more obedience",utt- to it. But 2. God in his Wifdorn and Patience; hath 'otherwifc difpored of things. Man is continued a Viator Hill in the way unto his end and not fully Rated in his eternal and un- changeable condition, wherein neither 'Promife nor Threat - r,ing ; Reward nor Punifhment could be propofed unto him. In this condition he falls under a twofold confideration. (s.) Of aguilty perfon, and fo is obliged unto the full punifh- ment, that the Law threatens. This is nót'denied. (2.) of a Man, a Rational Creature of God, not yet brought unto his Eternal End. 3. In this fiate, the Law is the only inffrument and means of the continuance of the Relation between God and him. Wherefore under this confideration it cannot but flill oblige him unto Obedience , unlefs we (hall fay, that by his fin he bath exempted himfelf from the Government of God. Wherefore it is by the Law, that the Rule and Government of God over Men, is continued whileft they are in_ flatu Via - torum : For every Difobedience, every Tranfgreffion of its Rule and Order as to its commanding Power cafteth us a- frefh, and further, under its Power of obliging unto Punifhment. Neither can thefe things be otherwife ; neither can any Man living, not the worft of Men, chufe buttjúdge hir3tfe. f whileft
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