ning the imperfections of our best performances. If perfection was rigidly exacted, no flesh could be saved: if not at all commanded, imperfection should not be sin, nor perfection to be laboured after. The faith that is lively to imbrace mercy is ever conjoyned with an unfained purpose to walke in all well pleasing, and the sincere performance of all holy obedience, as opportunity is offered, doth ever attend that faith, whereby we continually lay hold upon the promises once embraced. Actuall good workes of all sorts (though not perfect in degree) are necessary to the continuance of actuall justification, because faith can no longer lay faithfull claime to the promises of life, then it doth vertually or actually leade us forward in the way to Heaven. For if we say, we have fellowship with God and walke in darknesse, we lie and doe not the truth: But if we walke in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, 1 Joh. 1. 6, 7. This walking in the light, as he is in the light, is that qualification, wherby we become immediatly capable of Christs righteousnes, or actuall participants of his propitiation, which is the sole immediate cause of our justification, taken for remission of sinnes, or actuall approbation with God. The truth of which Doctrine St John likewise ratifies in tearmes equivalent, in the words presently following:1 Joh. 1.7. And the blood of Christ cleanseth us, (walking in the light as God is in the light) from all sinne. But of these things more largely in the severall degrees how this Covenant hath been revealed.
In this Covenant man doth promise to repent of his sinnes, and repenting to cleave unto the promise of mercy made in Jesus Christ, and in faith to yeeld willing, cheerefull and continuall obedience. In contracts amongst men, one may aske more, and the other bid lesse, and yet they may strike agreement: But it is altogether bootlesse, for men to thinke of entring into Covenant with God, if they be not resolved to obey in all things. The practise of all Gods people, who ever made Covenant with his Highnesse, doth expressely speake thus much, when they solemnly entred into, or renewed their Covenant: for thus they promise, Whatsoever the Lord saith, that will we doe, Exod 24. 3, 7. The people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey, Josh. 24. 23. And they entred into Covenant to seeke the Lord God of their Fathers, with all their heart, and with all their soule: That whosoever would not seeke the Lord God of Israel, should be putto
