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1. As one good act may cause another in our selves, so there is not the same Reason between Justificati∣on, and that part of Salvation. For that is but the Condition of one, which is the Cause of the other. But as Salvation is the gift of God, so there is the same Reason of obtaining right to Justificati∣on and to Salvation. They are two distinct Dues,
flowing from the same Covenant, upon our union to Christ, upon the same Condition on our part. And the immediate right of possession at Judgment is the same on the same Conditions.
2. I have said enough to this. [Freedom] is here ambiguous: Either you mean active Liberation, or passive: If the latter, either you mean a certainty, that we shall not be condemned; or you mean, non-Condemnation at present; or you mean right to Absolution per judicem; or else Absolution passive it self. The Reprobate here are non-condemnati per sententiam judicis, though per Legem they are con∣demned already. The Elect from the foundations of the World were sure (certitudine objecti) to be ab∣solved; yet were not then freed perfectly. Right to Absolution is perfect pro praesenti in se, as is the right of a Tenant in his house, when he hath taken his Lease; But it is not perfect pro tempore futuro: Be∣cause, 1. More Conditions are to be performed. 2. More sins to be pardoned. If you mean it of actual judicial Absolution, you are not so perfectly freed in this Life.
1. Where there is not the active Absolution, there is not the passive: But the active Absolution judicial per sententiam, either is not at all in this life, or is not perfect, therefore, &c. Apologetical Justifica∣tion hath degrees: And Sentential is the most per∣fect kind.
2. Justification is opposite to Condemnation: But Condemnation is not perfect (if properly any at all) till the Judgment; therefore Justification is not perfect till then. Condemnatio Legis est tantum virtualis, ut respicit judicium.
3. Your Doctrine is plain Antinomian, if by [freedom from all sin,] you mean all future sin, as you seem to do. Sin is not pardoned, which is no sin, that is, which is not yet committed: Reatus qui nondum contrahitur, non dissolvitur.
4. You suppose Justification per sententiam judicis, to be no Justification, but a Manifestation of it: When our Divines still say, the word is to be used in sensu judiciario. And I have far much more ado with Mr. L. (an excellent Politician) to prove, that constitutive Justification is so to be called. He thinks only sentential Justification is true Justification; you think it's none: But I think both Constitutive and Sentential, are truly and properly Justification. Sententia judicis, vel Condemnationem, vel Absoluti∣onem continet: (Et non tantum Condemnationis, vel Ab∣solutionis Manifestationem.) Zouch. Jurisprud. par. 5. sect. 10, &c. You'll spoil all your Law, if you confound Jus & Judicium. A Woman may as fully manifest a Felony or Murther, and the dueness of punishment, as the Judg; and yet the man shall not for that be executed. The Civil Law saith, that Judicis decretum requiritur etiam in manifeste prodigo. Mynsing. in Institut. l. 1. tit. 23. pag. 115.