cause Heb. 11.4,7, &c. of that pretious oblation in Abell, of reverence and preparing the Arke in Noah, of obedience in Abraham: but it was the instrument only of their justification. For it doth not justifie as it produceth good workes, but as it receiveth Christ, though it cannot receive Christ, unlesse it brings forth good workes. A disposition to good workes is necessary to justification, being the qualification of an active and lively faith. Good works of all sorts are necessary to our continuance in the state of justification, and so to our finall absolution, if God give opportunity: but they are not the cause of, but only a precedent qualification or condition to finall forgivenesse and eternall blisse. If then, when we speake of the conditions of the Covenant of grace, by Condition we understand whatsoever is required on our part, as precedent, concomitant or subsequent to justification, repentance, faith and obedience are all conditions: but if by Condition we understand what is required on our part, as the cause of the good promised though only instrumentall, faith or beliefe in the promises of free mercy is the only Condition. Faith and workes are opposed in the matter of Justification and Salvation in the Covenant, not that they cannot stand together in the same subject, for they be inseperably united, but because they cannot concurre or meete together in one & the same Court, to the Justification or Absolution of Man. For in the Court of Justice according to the first Covenant either being just he is acquitted, or unjust he is condemned: But in the Court of Mercy, if thou receive the promise of pardon, which is done by a lively faith, thou art acquitted and set free, and accepted as just and righteous: but if thou believe not, thou art sent over to the Court of Justice.
Obedience is two-fold, perfect in measure and degree, this is so farre required, that if it be not performed, we must acknowledge our sinne in comming short: And this God is pleased to exact at our hands, that we might walke in humility before him, strive after perfection, and freely acknowledge his rich grace and mercy in accepting and rewarding the best service we can tender unto his Highnesse, when in the Court of Justice it deserveth to be rejected. 2. Sincere, uniforme and constant, though imperfect in measure and degree, and this is so necessary, that without it there is no Salvation to be expected. The Covenant of Grace calleth for perfection, accepteth sincerity, God in mercy pardo-ning
