obedience, but as it doth give assent to the truth of the Gospell, and adhere and sticke to the Commandements: for in that sense it is an act or exercise commanded in the Gospell, and not only as it doth receive Christ and the promise of forgivenesse. But in Scripture every where Gal. 3.13.
1 Pet. 2.24.faith in Christ, in the Lord Jesus, or the bloud of Christ is said to justifie, not faith in other promises, threatnings, or Commandements.
4. How can it be proved, that in the matter of Justification the Apostle doth oppose faith to workes exactly perfect and compleat only, and not to the workes of grace done according to the prescription of the Law, as it was given to the Jewes to be a rule how people in Covenant ought to walke. Rom. 4.4.To him that worketh (saith he) the wages is of debt: but he that worketh is not only perfectly just, but he that is mercenarie, that is, to him that worketh for his reward, as if the reward should be given him for his worke. For thus the Apostle argues, When wages is given to an hireling or mercenary, it is of debt. But Justification or life is not given of debt, but of grace. Therefore it is not given to him that worketh, or to the mercenary. Properly God oweth nothing to him that fulfilleth the Law either exactly or sincerely, when they doe nothing but their duty, and there is no proportion betwixt God and them: but because they seeke righteousnesse and life by workes, if God should retribute to them a reward, he should be thought to doe it, as it were of debt.
The Law was given to be a rule of direction to them that be in Covenant: and workes of the Law are workes done according to that prescription: which the Apostle here excludes from being any cause of Justification, though he that walkes according to this Law, being not an hearer, but a doer of the Law, is blessed in his deed. But of this more at large in the next Chapter.
5. Consider the opposition which the Apostle makes betwixt his owne righteousnesse, which is of the Law, and the righteousnesse which is of God by faith. Phil. 3.9.I count all things (saith he) but as dung, that I might winne Christ, and be found in him, not having mine owne righteousnesse, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousnesse which is of God by faith. If then the righteousnesse of God through faith be the matter whereupon, or for which we are justified, we are not ju-stified
