cumcision through faith: without question in the Covenant of Grace he taught the Circumcision to seek justification by faith, and not by the works of the Law. Neverthelesse herein God called for, and his Israel was bound to yeeld obedience to all his Commandements. Strict, exact, perfect obedience the Lord doth require, so that the least failing must be acknowledged to be a sin: uniforme and sincere obedience is so required, that without it there can be no Salvation. Perfect obedience is commanded, that if a man will trust in his works to be justified thereby, he must either bring that which is every way compleat, or be cast in judgement. Sincere obedience, though imperfect is approved, that the imperfection of their best works being covered, and their transgressions graciously pardoned, they might be accepted by faith in Christ, who is the end of the Law, as righteous unto eternall life. This distinction was formerly propounded, but now is more largely to be confirmed.
The Law requires perfect and exact obedience: for secret faults, even thoughts arising from corrupt nature, before they attained full consent, Rom. 7.7.are therein condemned: and he that trusteth in his works, Gal. 3.10.if he continue not in every thing that is written in the book of the Law to doe them, he is accursed. But to them that be in Covenant the Law was given with such moderation, that sincere obedience was accepted of them, though attended with many imperfections, as is cleare by that of the Psalmist, Psal. 19.12,13.who can understand his errours, cleanse thou me from secret faults, keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sinnes, let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. The godly Governours and people of Israel were well acquainted with the meaning of the Law, and what obedience should be accepted at their hands: And 2 Kin. 23.3.
2 Chro. 15.12,
13,14.
Neh. 10.29,
30,31.when they promised, and bound themselves by Oath to walk in all the Statutes, Judgements, and Ordinances of the Lord, or of the Law of Moses, they did neither pervert the sense of the Law, nor promise punctually to fulfill the Law in every jot and title. Therefore they understood the tenour of the Law as it was given unto them, to admit of upright, unfained and true obedience, the imperfection that cleaveth unto their best works being graciously pardoned. Psal. 119.106.I have sworne, and I will performe it, that I will keepe thy righteous judgements. Did the Prophet think himself able punctually to ful-fill
