their_o repentance_n prayer_n sacrifice_n and_o all_o other_o their_o good_a work_n and_o quality_n be_v not_o bare_o a_o capacitating_a condition_n of_o justification_n forgiveness_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o happy_a life_n to_o come_v but_o meritorious_a and_o that_o god_n be_v oblige_v in_o justice_n to_o give_v these_o for_o they_o and_o as_o for_o the_o perfect_o righteous_a who_o need_v no_o repentance_n no_o question_n but_o that_o god_n be_v strict_o bind_v to_o reward_v they_o with_o a_o future_a happy_a state_n of_o life_n especial_o at_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a and_o the_o day_n of_o the_o great_a judgement_n nay_o when_o they_o want_v merit_n of_o their_o own_o they_o have_v recourse_n to_o those_o of_o their_o ancestor_n abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n and_o other_o like_o the_o work_n of_o supererogation_n among_o the_o papist_n nay_o some_o be_v so_o besot_v with_o vain_a conceit_n and_o arrogance_n that_o they_o think_v god_n choose_v their_o ancestor_n for_o their_o merit_n and_o be_v in_o love_n with_o their_o posterity_n for_o it_o too_o and_o still_o there_o remain_v among_o they_o a_o enthusiastical_a and_o arrogant_a strain_n beyond_o all_o this_o probable_o old_a than_o st._n paul_n that_o god_n create_v the_o world_n for_o their_o sake_n foresee_v i_o suppose_v what_o a_o lovely_a and_o excellent_a people_n they_o will_v prove_v we_o need_v but_o look_v into_o both_o ancient_n and_o modern_a jewish_a author_n to_o learn_v all_o this_o though_o if_o we_o know_v nothing_o of_o this_o their_o arrogant_a opinion_n and_o temper_n from_o themselves_o yet_o the_o holy_a scripture_n will_v sufficient_o inform_v we_o d_o now_o st._n paul_n so_o zealous_a for_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n most_o deserve_o in_o his_o dispute_n with_o they_o about_o justification_n repress_v and_o refute_v such_o insolent_a and_o false_a opinion_n and_o language_n and_o therefore_o assert_v the_o righteousness_n or_o justification_n of_o god_n or_o of_o god_n appointment_n by_o faith_n of_o jesus_n christ_n describe_v and_o teach_v in_o the_o gospel_n to_o all_o they_o that_o believe_v this_o way_n of_o justification_n of_o god_n appointment_n be_v first_o to_o believer_n i._n e._n real_a christian_n in_o their_o heart_n and_o life_n and_o then_o through_o the_o redemption_n that_o be_v in_o christ_n jesus_n the_o propitiation_n and_o last_o free_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n this_o god_n way_n of_o justification_n be_v thus_o upon_o the_o condition_n of_o our_o christian_a obedience_n and_o consideration_n of_o perfect_a obedience_n and_o death_n of_o jesus_n and_o of_o the_o free_a grace_n of_o god_n every_o way_n exclude_v the_o boast_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o they_o think_v in_o their_o way_n they_o have_v so_o much_o reason_n for_o this_o righteousness_n of_o god_n be_v neither_o without_o the_o interposition_n of_o the_o perfect_a obedience_n and_o sacrifice_n of_o jesus_n the_o true_a messiah_n nor_o by_o any_o merit_n of_o they_o by_o which_o they_o may_v claim_v justification_n as_o a_o debt_n from_o god_n nor_o be_v it_o so_o much_o as_o upon_o condition_n of_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n of_o which_o present_o much_o less_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o its_o merit_n rom._n 3._o 22._o and_o because_o the_o jew_n have_v so_o great_a a_o opinion_n of_o the_o merit_n of_o their_o father_n abraham_n he_o affirm_v that_o abraham_n himself_o be_v justify_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n too_o he_o be_v justify_v by_o faith_n too_o take_v faith_n first_o for_o a_o godly_a religious_a temper_n of_o heart_n as_o the_o condition_n and_o then_o this_o one_o part_n of_o the_o gospel-doctrine_n of_o justification_n for_o the_o whole_a of_o it_o by_o a_o figure_n ordinary_a enough_o with_o st._n paul_n and_o other_o holy_a writer_n as_o have_v be_v before_o observe_v but_o he_o deny_v peremptory_o that_o abraham_n be_v justify_v by_o his_o work_n of_o any_o sort_n i._n e._n that_o he_o be_v justify_v either_o according_a to_o their_o doctrine_n in_o general_n or_o more_o particular_o by_o the_o merit_n of_o his_o work_n he_o do_v not_o deny_v justification_n by_o good_a work_n as_o a_o qualification_n or_o condition_n which_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o st._n james_n write_v against_o a_o error_n of_o some_o christian_n who_o teach_v a_o bare_a belief_n in_o jesus_n and_o profession_n of_o it_o enough_o and_o it_o be_v likely_a they_o have_v it_o from_o the_o jew_n too_o the_o vulgar_a of_o who_o think_v their_o mere_a be_v jew_n sufficient_a for_o salvation_n nor_o have_v either_o the_o jewish_a or_o christian_a church_n ever_o want_v such_o sort_n of_o people_n and_o very_o numerous_a too_o especial_o in_o time_n and_o place_n of_o great_a ignorance_n when_o their_o idle_a ignorant_a and_o corrupt_a guide_n themselves_o have_v teach_v they_o as_o much_o st._n aug._n tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v some_o in_o his_o time_n who_o believe_v all_o to_o be_v save_v 22._o civ_o dei_fw-la lib._n 21._o cap._n 22._o who_o give_v alm_n who_o say_v daily_o in_o the_o lord_n prayer_n forgive_v we_o our_o trespass_n etc._n etc._n and_o do_v forgive_v when_o ask_v sometime_o who_o remain_v in_o the_o church_n however_o they_o live_v otherwise_o and_o he_o believe_v there_o be_v many_o in_o st._n paul_n time_n too_o who_o not_o right_o quaest_n lib._n 80._o quaest_n understanding_n st._n paul_n justification_n by_o faith_n without_o work_n do_v real_o think_v that_o have_v once_o believe_v in_o christ_n they_o shall_v be_v save_v by_o that_o faith_n though_o they_o live_v wicked_a and_o flagitious_a life_n those_o christian_n in_o st._n james_n seem_v such_o a_o sort_n of_o people_n and_o if_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n be_v write_v before_o that_o of_o st._n james_n they_o also_o may_v be_v lead_v into_o such_o a_o conceit_n by_o st._n paul_n himself_o misunderstand_v not_o mind_v what_o he_o have_v otherwise_o by_o word_n or_o write_v every_o where_o teach_v and_o particular_o in_o rom._n 10._o 9_o 10._o that_o if_o thou_o shall_v confess_v with_o thy_o mouth_n the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o shall_v believe_v in_o thy_o heart_n that_o god_n have_v raise_v he_o from_o the_o dead_a thou_o shall_v be_v save_v for_o with_o the_o heart_n man_n believe_v unto_o righteousness_n i._n e._n justification_n and_o with_o the_o mouth_n confession_n be_v make_v unto_o salvation_n here_o it_o be_v observable_a how_o one_o circumstance_n of_o the_o person_n who_o be_v write_v to_o and_o their_o opinion_n may_v determine_v the_o sense_n of_o word_n st._n paul_n write_v to_o the_o jew_n who_o affirm_v that_o their_o good_a work_n merit_v justification_n st._n james_n to_o christian_n who_o believe_v and_o teach_v that_o they_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o qualification_n or_o condition_n and_o no_o way_n necessary_a to_o it_o they_o both_o write_v true_a justification_n be_v and_o be_v not_o by_o good_a work_n it_o be_v by_o they_o as_o a_o qualification_n and_o condition_n it_o be_v not_o by_o they_o as_o meritorious_a in_o the_o most_o receive_v and_o common_a sense_n of_o that_o word_n but_o to_o return_v to_o st._n paul_n he_o flat_o deny_v that_o abraham_n himself_o be_v justify_v by_o the_o merit_n of_o his_o work_n so_o as_o that_o god_n be_v in_o manner_n of_o a_o debtor_n oblige_v to_o it_o much_o less_o be_v his_o posterity_n abraham_n indeed_o be_v a_o person_n extraordinary_a and_o so_o may_v just_o pretend_v to_o some_o privilege_n among_o man_n but_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o claim_v or_o challenge_v any_o thing_n particular_o so_o great_a thing_n as_o remission_n of_o sin_n and_o salvation_n from_o god_n mere_o for_o his_o own_o sake_n or_o in_o such_o manner_n as_o a_o creditor_n or_o servant_n may_v do_v from_o his_o debtor_n or_o master_n rom._n 4._o this_o doctrine_n of_o his_o so_o direct_o opposite_a to_o they_o he_o prove_v from_o moses_n and_o david_n for_o one_o say_v that_o abraham_n faith_n his_o piety_n and_o obedience_n be_v impute_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n or_o justification_n and_o the_o other_o bless_a be_v the_o man_n to_o who_o the_o lord_n will_v not_o impute_v sin_n now_o this_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d impute_v import_v in_o god_n nothing_o of_o payment_n of_o a_o debt_n nor_o of_o merit_n from_o he_o but_o a_o act_n of_o discretion_n liberty_n choice_n goodness_n though_o most_o wise_a and_o reasonable_a too_o in_o pursuance_n of_o the_o one_o great_a end_n of_o all_o his_o counsel_n and_o action_n this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o st._n paul_n and_o the_o other_o apostle_n elsewhere_o as_o if_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n they_o much_o desire_v christian_n shall_v be_v well_o instruct_v in_o and_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o natural_a reason_n for_o to_o talk_v of_o merit_n in_o its_o proper_a sense_n and_o so_o as_o it_o
conclude_v that_o a_o man_n be_v justify_v by_o faith_n without_o the_o deed_n of_o the_o law_n and_o v._o 30._o it_o be_v one_o god_n which_o shall_v justify_v the_o circumcision_n by_o faith_n and_o uncircumcision_n through_o faith_n see_v also_o gal_n 3._o 17._o and_o rom._n 10._o 6._o and_o true_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o language_n and_o speak_v seem_v agreeable_a enough_o to_o that_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o modern_a jew_n nay_o i_o think_v to_o one_o who_o never_o so_o little_a consider_v it_o be_v plain_a for_o the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n and_o the_o righteousness_n which_o be_v of_o faith_n or_o by_o the_o faith_n of_o jesus_n christ_n rom._n 10._o 3_o 6._o and_o rom._n 3._o 21_o 22._o be_v the_o same_o thing_n but_o the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n be_v manifest_o that_o way_n or_o method_n of_o justification_n all_o the_o cause_n of_o justification_n together_o which_o god_n have_v appoint_v after_o the_o come_v of_o christ_n under_o the_o gospel_n and_o which_o saint_n paul_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n teach_v for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d there_o as_o frequent_o elsewhere_o gal._n 5._o 5._o rom._n 3._o 21_o 22._o 30._o compare_v with_o rom._n 9_o 31._o be_v put_v for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o appear_v from_o the_o opposition_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n rom._n 10._o 2._o to_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n own_o righteousness_n to_o interpret_v that_o of_o inherent_a or_o impute_a righteousness_n be_v not_o probable_a though_o it_o may_v be_v a_o possible_a sense_n which_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n be_v yet_o more_o plain_a from_o v._o 10._o with_o the_o heart_n man_n believe_v to_o righteousness_n i._n e._n to_o justification_n from_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o righteousness_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o way_n of_o justification_n by_o god_n appointment_n and_o command_v preach_v by_o the_o apostle_n the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o christian_a doctrine_n again_o the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n and_o of_o faith_n be_v oppose_v to_o the_o righteousness_n of_o the_o law_n of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n of_o their_o own_o righteousness_n and_o st._n paul_n own_o righteousness_n of_o the_o law_n phil._n 3._o 9_o and_o therefore_o must_v have_v the_o same_o kind_n of_o sense_n but_o these_o righteousness_n be_v all_o manifest_o no_v other_o thing_n than_o justification_n according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n and_o belief_n of_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n of_o the_o law_n the_o generality_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o st._n paul_n himself_o before_o his_o conversion_n to_o christianity_n and_o what_o if_o we_o shall_v reduce_v the_o other_o two_o sense_n of_o justify_v faith_n to_o this_o last_o and_o say_v that_o faith_n where_o it_o signify_v primary_o the_o condition_n or_o qualify_a cause_n in_o we_o of_o justification_n as_o have_v be_v explain_v may_v be_v take_v synecdochical_o a_o part_n for_o the_o whole_a one_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n concern_v justification_n and_o that_o which_o be_v more_o earnest_o contest_v by_o the_o jew_n for_o the_o whole_a of_o that_o doctrine_n a_o thing_n ordinary_a enough_o in_o the_o style_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n nor_o do_v i_o see_v it_o beside_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o apostle_n beside_o if_o this_o sense_n be_v but_o equal_o probable_a it_o will_v be_v the_o best_a take_v because_o it_o comprehend_v the_o other_o two_o now_o to_o know_v what_o be_v the_o principal_a difference_n between_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n concern_v justification_n we_o be_v to_o consult_v both_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o jewish_a author_n themselves_o and_o as_o i_o think_v we_o may_v therein_o observe_v these_o five_o first_o the_o jew_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o there_o be_v some_o man_n who_o need_v no_o justification_n at_o all_o no_o favour_n of_o god_n in_o that_o particular_a of_o remission_n of_o sin_n some_o of_o these_o they_o think_v have_v never_o sin_v in_o all_o their_o life_n the_o other_o again_o by_o their_o own_o study_n and_o exercise_n become_v without_o all_o fault_n and_o their_o exact_a righteousness_n make_v recompense_n for_o their_o past_a transgression_n these_o they_o call_v perfect_o righteous_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o they_o have_v two_o sort_n more_o to_o appear_v in_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n viz._n perfect_o wicked_a and_o a_o middle_n between_o both_o when_o as_o mahomet_n disciple_n fancy_n god_n will_v make_v use_n of_o 1._o poc._n ad_fw-la por_fw-mi mos_fw-la not_o cap._n 6._o tal._n rosch_n hasch_fw-mi c._n 1._o scale_n to_o weigh_v good_a and_o bad_a work_v one_o against_o the_o other_o and_o if_o the_o scale_n happen_v to_o be_v even_o mercy_n will_v weigh_v it_o down_o on_o the_o favourable_a side_n of_o this_o sort_n among_o the_o jew_n may_v be_v the_o pharisee_fw-mi who_o go_v to_o the_o temple_n with_o the_o publican_n to_o pray_v for_o he_o recite_v only_o his_o religious_a action_n but_o say_v not_o a_o word_n of_o any_o thing_n ever_o ill_o do_v and_o it_o be_v say_v luke_n 18._o that_o our_o saviour_n speak_v that_o parable_n against_o certain_a which_o trust_v in_o themselves_o that_o they_o be_v righteous_a and_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o parable_n luke_n 11._o and_o matth._n 8._o 13._o be_v some_o argument_n that_o it_o be_v a_o opinion_n among_o the_o jew_n that_o there_o be_v some_o man_n who_o need_v no_o repentance_n perhaps_o st._n paul_n may_v once_o reckon_v himself_o among_o these_o perfect_o righteous_a when_o he_o know_v no_o better_o for_o he_o say_v of_o himself_o that_o touch_v the_o righteousness_n which_o be_v in_o the_o law_n i._n e._n in_o vogue_n and_o reputation_n among_o the_o lawyer_n or_o doctor_n of_o the_o law_n he_o be_v blameless_a phil._n 3._o and_o i_o remember_v somewhere_o in_o the_o talmud_n to_o have_v read_v of_o some_o master_n of_o such_o perfect_a sanctity_n as_o never_o to_o have_v commit_v one_o sin_n and_o to_o have_v be_v such_o from_o and_o in_o their_o mother_n womb_n as_o jeremiah_n be_v say_v to_o be_v which_o there_o signify_v no_o more_o than_o his_o be_v so_o early_o by_o god_n design_v and_o separate_v to_o his_o prophetical_a office_n and_o employment_n now_o this_o opinion_n of_o they_o st._n paul_n deny_v affirm_v that_o all_o man_n except_o the_o bless_a jesus_n the_o true_a messiah_n have_v be_v and_o still_o continue_v in_o some_o degree_n or_o other_o sinner_n and_o that_o all_o man_n therefore_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o continual_a repentance_n and_o remission_n that_o jew_n and_o gentile_n have_v all_o fall_v short_a of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o be_v guilty_a before_o he_o that_o even_o the_o best_a of_o the_o jew_n themselves_o be_v not_o exact_a observer_n of_o their_o own_o law_n especial_o in_o the_o inward_a and_o moral_a part_n of_o it_o this_o st._n paul_n prove_v out_o of_o their_o own_o sacred_a author_n which_o he_o quote_v rom._n 3._o second_o b_o the_o jew_n hold_v general_o that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o the_o merit_n or_o consideration_n of_o any_o other_o no_o not_o of_o the_o messiah_n himself_o for_o who_o sake_n justification_n or_o remission_n of_o sin_n particular_o shall_v be_v grant_v by_o god_n but_o that_o repentance_n good_a work_n fast_n prayer_n sacrifice_n oblation_n temporal_a punishment_n or_o final_o corporeal_a death_n be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o expiation_n of_o all_o sin_n whatsoever_o or_o if_o any_o thought_n that_o there_o be_v any_o sin_n to_o be_v forgive_v for_o the_o messias_n sake_n as_o some_o few_o of_o the_o ancient_n think_v c_o yet_o these_o be_v but_o few_o and_o restrain_v the_o privilege_n to_o those_o of_o their_o own_o nation_n and_o religion_n and_o last_o however_o they_o will_v not_o hear_v of_o such_o a_o thing_n as_o that_o it_o be_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n who_o they_o deny_v to_o be_v their_o messiah_n and_o reject_v with_o a_o obstinate_a scorn_n to_o this_o st._n paul_n oppose_v three_o thing_n and_o maintain_v first_o that_o god_n ever_o do_v and_o ever_o will_v justify_v and_o forgive_v sinner_n upon_o consideration_n of_o and_o with_o regard_n to_o the_o perfect_a obedience_n and_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o not_o without_o it_o second_o that_o this_o great_a favour_n and_o indulgence_n of_o heaven_n be_v extend_v to_o all_o mankind_n and_o three_o that_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n be_v this_o true_a messiah_n and_o that_o all_o this_o as_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o most_o reasonable_a so_o be_v it_o agreeable_a to_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o now_o with_o such_o undeniable_a proof_n and_o clear_a evidence_n declare_v to_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o it_o be_v not_o indeed_o any_o long_a to_o be_v dispute_v three_o the_o jew_n advance_v yet_o further_o and_o affirm_v that_o
usual_o signify_v among_o we_o between_o god_n and_o the_o best_a of_o man_n or_o the_o most_o excellent_a angel_n be_v to_o give_v a_o very_a false_a idea_n of_o the_o case_n for_o to_o merit_v from_o any_o one_o be_v first_o to_o profit_n or_o advantage_v he_o some_o way_n and_o than_o it_o be_v to_o impart_v somewhat_o of_o his_o own_o and_o last_o he_o that_o receive_v the_o benefit_n be_v bind_v to_o requite_v it_o by_o some_o law_n without_o and_o superior_a to_o himself_o now_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o all_o this_o between_o god_n and_o his_o creature_n for_o can_v a_o man_n profit_v his_o maker_n a_o master_n indeed_o may_v be_v benefit_v by_o the_o labour_n and_o service_n of_o his_o servant_n next_o the_o strength_n industry_n and_o fidelity_n of_o the_o servant_n be_v his_o own_o in_o respect_n of_o his_o master_n he_o never_o have_v any_o of_o this_o from_o he_o but_o what_o have_v we_o which_o we_o have_v not_o receive_v from_o god_n our_o very_a be_v faculty_n liberty_n all_o kind_n of_o ability_n and_o capacity_n be_v they_o not_o the_o free_a gift_n of_o our_o great_a and_o good_a creator_n final_o what_o law_n be_v there_o superior_a to_o god_n own_o nature_n and_o will_n to_o oblige_v he_o to_o any_o action_n who_o can_v or_o aught_o to_o say_v to_o he_o what_o do_v thou_o not_o so_o much_o in_o respect_n of_o his_o irresistible_a power_n for_o there_o be_v no_o tyranny_n in_o heaven_n as_o his_o all_o comprehend_v wisdom_n his_o immutable_a righteousness_n and_o essential_a goodness_n it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o just_a and_o right_a eternal_a and_o unchangeable_a but_o it_o be_v therefore_o so_o because_o god_n be_v so_o it_o be_v eternal_o a_o property_n of_o the_o divine_a will_n if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v as_o truth_n be_v of_o the_o divine_a understanding_n it_o be_v his_o own_o immutable_a nature_n to_o do_v that_o which_o be_v right_a and_o fit_a that_o which_o we_o call_v right_a fit_a just_a be_v a_o due_a relation_n or_o habitude_n of_o all_o will_n action_n power_n to_o its_o object_n which_o object_n be_v bonum_fw-la good_a and_o that_o the_o great_a too_o in_o respect_n of_o intention_n extension_n and_o duration_n and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o more_o respect_n this_o be_v the_o ultimate_a due_a end_n and_o object_n i_o say_v of_o all_o will_n action_n and_o power_n whatsoever_o but_o this_o relation_n or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v therefore_o eternal_a and_o immutable_a only_o because_o god_n be_v so_o it_o can_v never_o have_v exi_v without_o a_o subject_a and_o that_o subject_a the_o divine_a will_n exist_v necessary_o the_o very_a be_v or_o existence_n therefore_o of_o any_o such_o thing_n depend_v upon_o the_o existence_n of_o the_o divine_a will._n beside_o this_o relation_n which_o we_o call_v right_o and_o just_a be_v something_o wherefore_o it_o as_o all_o other_o something_n must_v have_v the_o will_n of_o god_n or_o active_a power_n or_o his_o nature_n for_o its_o cause_n but_o though_o right_a and_o just_o depend_v upon_o the_o divine_a will_n for_o its_o eternal_a existence_n yet_o we_o can_v conceive_v it_o ever_o separate_v from_o they_o or_o without_o they_o we_o can_v but_o conceive_v it_o a_o pure_a perfection_n and_o therefore_o can_v but_o attribute_v it_o to_o god_n a_o all-perfect_a be_v for_o a_o instance_n or_o application_n we_o say_v that_o the_o object_n of_o god_n will_n be_v always_o the_o universal_a good_a the_o good_a of_o all_o being_n the_o great_a good_a either_o fit_a or_o possible_a and_o in_o order_n to_o this_o he_o will_v benè_fw-la bonis_fw-la malè_fw-la malis_fw-la he_o justify_v the_o righteous_a and_o condemn_v the_o wicked_a he_o order_n and_o distribute_v respective_a recompense_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n to_o the_o good_a and_o bad_a the_o quantity_n quality_n time_n and_o other_o circumstance_n be_v to_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n but_o this_o proceed_v from_o no_o cause_n without_o the_o divine_a will_n itself_o we_o can_v but_o conceive_v the_o divine_a will_n thus_o to_o act_v there_o be_v no_o power_n or_o will_n to_o determine_v or_o constrain_v it_o god_n nature_n be_v such_o that_o we_o can_v but_o conceive_v he_o to_o will_n and_o do_v that_o which_o be_v just_a and_o right_a for_o the_o great_a good_a of_o all_o reasonable_a being_n and_o yet_o most_o free_o because_o it_o be_v his_o own_o immutable_a nature_n for_o what_o can_v be_v more_o free_a than_o what_o be_v natural_a liberty_n in_o god_n be_v not_o a_o indifferency_n for_o that_o will_v be_v a_o imperfection_n but_o that_o infinite_a force_n and_o delight_n with_o which_o he_o act_v i_o have_v no_o better_a word_n to_o express_v my_o meaning_n by_o liberty_n and_o necessity_n therefore_o in_o god_n be_v not_o only_o consistent_a but_o inseparable_a it_o be_v right_a and_o just_a for_o god_n to_o reward_v the_o good_a who_o keep_v his_o commandment_n and_o observe_v his_o law_n which_o be_v the_o infallible_a rule_n and_o instance_n of_o what_o be_v right_a and_o just_a but_o we_o must_v not_o say_v god_n be_v bind_v to_o it_o or_o that_o those_o who_o be_v good_a merit_n it_o from_o he_o in_o a_o strict_a and_o most_o receive_a sense_n and_o common_a usage_n because_o that_o import_v as_o if_o he_o must_v do_v it_o whether_o he_o will_v or_o no_o and_o there_o be_v some_o law_n or_o person_n without_o or_o superior_a to_o himself_o we_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o say_v that_o god_n most_o certain_o will_v do_v so_o because_o it_o be_v his_o own_o immutable_a nature_n to_o do_v it_o the_o righteous_a lord_n love_v righteousness_n and_o his_o countenance_n behold_v the_o upright_a it_o be_v true_a to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o this_o not_o useless_a or_o very_o impertinent_a digression_n that_o worthy_a quality_n and_o action_n i._n e._n such_o as_o do_v effect_n or_o but_o tend_v to_o the_o common_a good_a that_o be_v useful_a or_o beneficial_a to_o the_o world_n do_v just_o entitle_v any_o person_n to_o a_o reward_n such_o as_o honour_n power_n wealth_n or_o pleasurable_a life_n because_o those_o same_o quality_n and_o action_n be_v thereby_o maintain_v increase_v and_o propagate_v and_o consequent_o the_o best_a and_o happy_a state_n of_o the_o world_n further_v and_o advance_v every_o one_o in_o his_o place_n and_o according_a to_o his_o ability_n be_v bind_v to_o this_o but_o especial_o all_o sort_n of_o governor_n and_o such_o quality_n have_v and_o may_v with_o good_a reason_n obtain_v the_o name_n of_o merit_n among_o man_n and_o in_o respect_n of_o they_o in_o its_o most_o common_a and_o receive_a sense_n for_o they_o be_v the_o property_n of_o those_o who_o possess_v they_o they_o never_o receive_v they_o from_o other_o man_n they_o be_v beneficial_a and_o useful_a to_o man_n and_o there_o be_v a_o superior_a law_n and_o power_n to_o oblige_v and_o compel_v man_n to_o reward_v they_o none_o of_o which_o can_v be_v say_v in_o respect_n to_o god_n though_o it_o be_v a_o congruous_a and_o reasonable_a thing_n as_o be_v above_o mention_v god_n always_o do_v and_o always_o will_v necessary_o from_o his_o own_o nature_n will_n and_o act_n in_o such_o manner_n and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o more_o mean_v by_o merit_v than_o that_o we_o may_v safe_o in_o such_o a_o sense_n be_v say_v to_o merit_v from_o god_n too_o and_o in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v that_o st._n paul_n say_v that_o god_n be_v not_o unrighteous_a to_o forget_v your_o work_n and_o labour_n of_o love_n heb._n 6._o 9_o and_o benceforth_o there_o be_v lay_v up_o for_o i_o a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n which_o the_o lord_n the_o righteous_a judge_n shall_v give_v i_o at_o that_o day_n and_o not_o to_o i_o only_o but_o unto_o all_o they_o also_o that_o love_n his_o appear_v 2_o tim._n 4._o 8._o i_o e._n it_o be_v a_o congruous_a and_o fit_a thing_n of_o best_a effect_n certain_o in_o god_n government_n of_o the_o world_n that_o good_a man_n shall_v be_v so_o use_v by_o he_o i_o have_v be_v somewhat_o the_o long_a in_o this_o digression_n because_o i_o believe_v the_o whole_a controversy_n about_o merit_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o st._n paul_n with_o his_o christian_n and_o between_o the_o pontifician_n and_o the_o protestant_n may_v by_o the_o little_a that_o have_v be_v here_o say_v be_v easy_o clear_v and_o decide_v at_o last_o we_o conclude_v then_o with_o st._n paul_n and_o the_o gospel-doctrine_n against_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n and_o the_o legal_a doctrine_n which_o they_o teach_v viz._n that_o we_o sinner_n be_v justify_v by_o god_n and_o more_o particular_o upon_o our_o repentance_n and_o perseverance_n in_o holiness_n of_o heart_n and_o life_n pardon_v and_o save_v not_o by_o work_n of_o righteousness_n which_o we_o have_v do_v not_o by_o any_o