third end of the Law by them not mentioned This Logicians call Falâ—acia consequeâ—tis vel non causae A fallacy of the Consequent They are not true but fallacious in their arguing So the Papists are wont to wrangle If workes doe not Iustifie why are they then done If the Sacraments conferre not grace and ex opere operato by the very worke done why are they administred To what are they profitable If Christs body be not really present in the Sacrament if it be not orally eaten to what purpose is the Supper Is it but a bare naked signe These are Paralogismes captious argumentations Is there no end because not that end which wee will needs appoint The law doth not Iustifie ergo 't is in vaine A vain Consequence My money cannot Iustifie mee my eyes cannot my hands cannot are they all therfore in vaine Or shall I cast away my mony pull out my eyes or cut off my hands Away with such frowardnes All have their proper uses Mony for traffique eyes for sight hands for action workes for gratitude the Law for direction Faith for Iustistcation The Law is good if it bee used as Law if it keepe within its owne bounds As things are distinct so are their uses The Sunne hath use and operation sutable to it selfe So the water so the earth the Sun sends influence and refresheth the water cooles and moystens the earth gives encrease So the Law hath it's use It was added 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it was set or added to that is Posita pro Appostâ—a â— adâ—cta pro missioni it was adjected or added unto the Promise God gave the Promise that the Inheritance should bee by that Crys â—om 4. Hier. tom 9 Latam superbienti populo ut quoniaÌ„ gratiam Charitatis nisi humiliat acciperenon posset fine hac gratiâ nullo modo praecepta legis impleret transgressione humiliaretur ut quaereret gratiam nec se suis meritis salvum fieri opinaretur ut es set non in sua potestate viribus iustus sed in manu mediatoris iustificantis impium Aug. afterwards he added the law as an Accessory Not that the Inheritance should be by it but for another end It was added 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because of Transgression The Law was not unprofitable or purposelesse but for transgressions which Chrysostome and Hierom understand that it might keepe and restraine them from sin Augustine that it might teach them to know and acknowledge their sinnes So the Apostle frequently Rom. 3.19 20. Now wee know whatsoever things the Law saith it saith to them who are under the Law that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God for by the Law is the knowledge of sinne Rom. 4.15 Where no Law is there is no transgression Rom. 7.7 I had not knowne sinne but by the Law for I had not knowne lust except the Law had said Thou shalt not lust Briefly the Law was added 1. To manifest sinne that it might be instar speculi as a glasse to discover the deformed 2. To restraine sinne that it might be instar fraeni as a bridle to curbe us from our forward venturings 3. To punish sinne by Threats that it might bee instar verberis as a scourge to correct our wantonnes Cursed is every one that remaines not in all things 4. To encrease sinne by irritation that it might be instar stimuli as a spurre to irritate But this is by accident for the Law is holy and the Commandement is holy and iust and good Rom. 7.12 The Law then causeth sinne to encrease Chrys in loc Gennad in loc Lyranus Non causaliter sed consequutivè Consequently not causally and that Non ex parte legis but nostri through our defect not from the nature of the Law For 1. Wee rush upon that more greedily which is forbidden like a River which makes a greater noyse and overflowes wâ—th more violence when it meets with a stone or banke in the way Whether it bee that our desires are more toward such things as are without our power as things prohibited are neglecting what is easie and soone accomplished or whether it be only from the nature of our human passions which the more they are suppressed the more they are inflamed like fire kept in which breakes forth the more violently Perer. numer 78. Or whether it bee onely from the perversnesse of mans will and his meere opposition to the will of God Whether it be from any or all of these we find it in our nature Nitimur in vetitum cupimusque negata wee tend to forbidden things and the Law by accident encreases sinne Minus peccati est si quod non prohibetur admittas Orig. Amb. lib. de Iob. cap. 4. Aug lib. 1. qu ad Simpâ—ic qu. 1. 2. The Law by accident encreaseth sinne because then wee sinne with aggravation His sinne is greater who offends against a knowne will than he that out of ignorance doth it 3. Againe the number of sinnes is multiplied by reason of the variety and multiplied number of precepts given by the Law The Apostle often mentioneth these ends of the Law and with some phrases not easily perspicuous Rom. 7.8 Calu. lib. 1. de pec Hyperius Tolet. Annot. 11. Sinne taking occasion by the Commandement wrought in mee all manner of Concupiscence The burning of an house may be the occasion of the building it anew and a rub in the way may occasion the turning out of the path Yet neither of these are so in themselves but are taken as occasions So our corrupted natures take occasion to sinne when the law of commandments intends the destruction of our building and the hindring of our course So the Gangrena and the Elephantiasis Ambr. li. 1. de patr Iac. are the worse for medicine It followes Added because of transgressions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 untill the seed should come Who the Seed is was before declared vers 16. Hee saith not And to Seeds as of many but as of one And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To thy Seed which is Christ But doth the comming of Christ terminate the duration of the Law Doth the Law cease to reveale to restraine to punish to irritate sinne after Christ is come How then is our Saviours witnesse of himselfe true Thinke not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfill Mat. 5.17 Is not the Law eternall Or why is the mention of such a period Yes The Law continues and the use continues to the worlds end but neither in a Mosaicall manner Thus what the Apostle speakes It was added till the Seed we may understand 1. Simply concerning all Lawes iudiciall ceremoniall morall as Mosaicall The Law did convince by Rites and by precepts as by them So the hand-writing of Ordinances was against us Israel was a stiffe-necked people modo frenis modo calcaribus
10.5.6.9 The Iewes were in the Lowerschoole and all the parts of the Law sent them unto Christ 1. The precepts requiring a righteousnesse shewed their unrighteousnesse and sent them elsewhere to seeke it 2. The Promises were on such a condition the condition of doing as was to them impossible and put them upon their farther search 3. The Threatnings set them directly under the curse which could be scaped onely by Christ 4. The ceremonies of Sacrifices and washings and whatever of the same kind lead them typically to their end All Lawes sent them onely with this difference 1. The morall by an accidentary direction 2. The Ceremoniall by direct signification and duration 3. The Iudiciall by duration and distinction How the Law leads us hath bin aptly yet diversly expressed by expositors as a severer Master over a wanton youth So Saint a Lex Mosâ—s populo lascivienti ad instar paedagogi severioris appoâ—ita est ut custodiret eos et futurâ— fidei prapararet Hi â— D al. 2 con Pela Hierome Not that the Law is against Christ the Schoolmaster is not adverse to the Master but helpes so Saint b Paedagogi non â—â—â—versatur praeceptori sed ad uvat arcens â—â—olescen tem ab om ni vitior eddens illum ideneum Chrys Chrysostome And that to fit us unto an higher being another form as he Scholler fitted by the â—aedagogue for Philosophicall searches or State-government so c Clem Ale l. 1. pad c. 6. Paedagogus parvulis assignatur ut lasciviens refraenetur alas et prona in vitia corda teneantur dum tenerastudije eruditur infantia et ad majores Philosophiae ac regendae reipublicae disciplinas metu poenae coercita preparatur Clement Alexandrinus A Scholler though instructed by him yet expects not his inheritance from his Paedagogue but when the time is fit hee leaves him for what hee was entended for when wee give our names to Christ Tutor a nobis Curatorque discedunt then in that kind our Master leaves us so both d Gre. Naz. Orat 42. Nazianzen and e Tert. l. de monagamia Tertullian and f Iran l. 4. c. 5. Iraeneus We are young ones while the Law doth ferule us so g Rol in Gal. Rolloc The expressions are all good if weighed with their due graines The Law is the Schoolmaster or Paedagogue the Gospell is the Master or higher instructer Here is the manner of our salvation there are two Formes and two Masters The Vnder-forme Status 1. Captivorum 2. Puerorum 3. Pupillorum Rol. ibid. or Classes under the Law in which we are Captives Children Pupils And the higher Forme or Classes under the Gospell in which wee are free at fuller age and from under Guardians Which Divinity discovers and condemnes two sorts of Schollers 1. Such as learn nothing in either Schoole or Form the thundrings of the Law no whit afright them nor the sweet voyce of the Gospell please them but under both remaine unbetrered 2. Such as learne but with a false method in the higher forme first who being never humbled yet take hold of mercy with which they have nothing to doe and unto which they can lay no challenge as being not wounded and therefore not fitted for a plaister It followes That we might be Iustified by Faith The Law brings us unto Christ But what as to another Law No but that we might be Iustified by Faith and Faith leads us to him as a Iustifier not as a Law-giver though in a second relation hee be our Law-giver and wee owe him our obedience Thus are the Objections cleared now proceed wee to the second thing propounded according to the Apostles method in this third general part namely 2. The more plaine discussing of the Question concerning the Law How abrogated How usefull This is laid downe in the 25. verse The Text. VERS 25. But after that Faith is come we are no longer under a Schoole-Master THe paedagogicke use ceases and the Law layes downe the Ferule When Câ—rist raignes in the conscience by his Spirit then the Law lives no more in the conscience to our Burthen He hath quickned you together with him having forgiven you all trespasses blotting out the Hand-writing of Ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and tooke it out of the way nailing it to his Crosse and having spoyled Principalities and Powers hee made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it Col. 2. 13 14 15. And now as that honoured holy Luther applyes it Bened Iust Com in Gal. 3. If the Law begin to vexe us let 's not hearken unto it When a man is come to the age of man though the Paedagogue shake his Rod over him at which he was wont to quake when the Paedagogue had power to use that masterly Scepter yet now he feares it not 'T is true while sin remaines as it doth remaine so long as wee remain men the Law comes often to our humiliation but for feare of danger Christ must likewise come often spiritually into the conscience that while wee see sinne wee bee not overwhelmed So the Law is still for our mortification according to our more or lesse of Faith There is leaven hid in our Dough but we are not al leavened wheÌ„ we see our â—elvs i◠〈◊〉 Christ 〈…〉 nothing 〈◊〉 leaven but when our selves as our selves wee finde much unleavened and the Law comes againe and againe But I 'll not more enlarge my selfe in a paraphrase but fal more strongly to the Question that great Question How farre the law is abrogated Of the Abrogation and use of the Law THe worke is difficult for the Rule seemes to fight Scriptures appearing to oppose Scriptures 1. Some Scriptures seem to deliver us this position That the Law is altogether abrogated You shall see it if you consult these Quotations Ier. 31.31 32 c. Psal 110. a new Priest is promised and the Rule is The Priest-hood being changed Translato Sacerdoto Translatio Legis there 's a change of the Law Heb. 7. As new Kings new â—awes Hebr. 7.18 So Rom. 3.5.7 Rom. 6.15 Rom. 7.1 2 3. where he speaks of the morall as appeares vers 7. 2 Cor. 3.9.11 Gal 3.19.24 Gal. 4.5 1 Tim. 1.9 Rom 8 2. Cal. 5.18 In my Preachings I repeated the words of these severall Texts and not without inlargements but in a written Copy it sufficeth to direct the Reader 2. Some Scriptures seem to oppose this position to that other That the whole Law is not abrogated Mat. 5.17 Rom. 3.31 To Reconcile these and to find out the Truth wee must conclude that both are true though in divers respects which wee shall discerne by observing these three particulars 1. To whom the Law was given and to whom not 2. The Causes why the Law should be abrogate 3. What things are signified under the word Law 1. To whom the Law was given The Law as given by Moses to the
Ceremoniall as also the Iudiciall Law hath two parts one externall the other internall the body and the soule or the substance the accidents or the shell and the kernel The inward thing of the Ceremoniall is Faith and Piety of the Iudiciall is mutuall love and piety these are eternall The outward thing of both is only abrogate yet not all equally Some Ceremonies are so abrogated that they cannot be revoked againe without denying Christ Some and some politicke Lawes may bee received But wee shall best discerne by handling all severally 1. The Ceremoniall law is an ordinance containing precepts concerning externall worship given to the Israelitish Church whē it was yet an infant The use of it was 1. To keepe the people under hope 2. As a midwall to separate them from the Gentiles 3 That by the observing of this they might be kept from the Idolatry of their neighbours This Law is abrogate by Christs comming and by these degrees 1. In truth in regard of necessity of the observation 2. In fact by the Doctrine of the Apostles and by the destruction both of Hierusalem the City and of the Temple the more speciall place assigned for the worship 2. The Iudiciall Law is an Ordinance containing precepts concerning the form of government Some of the precepts being of generall some of particular Right The use of it was 1. That there might bee to all a certain rule of publike equity That in this sense Hierusalem might bee as a City well built compact together Psal 122 3. 2. That by their outward policy they might be differenced from other Nations 3. That the government of Christ might be typified unto them Concerning the Abrogation 1. So farre as this Law is typicall so farre it ceaseth 2. These Iudgements simply are neither forbidden nor prescribed unto any people 3. Such things as are of common generall right are still in force and must be obeyed for what is in substance morall is perpetuall wee may know the common naturall morall perpetuall Iudgements by two rules 1. If they directly fence and give the guard unto a morall command such are those Deut. 13.6 Exod. 21.12 Exod. 22.18 2. If they follow from the light of Nature and common right as that Deut. 22.5 and others of like nature 3 The Morall Law is scattered throughout the whole Bible and summ'd up in the Decalogue 'T is an Ordinance commanding those things which simply God accepts and will have done of all men at all times every where and forbidding the contrary This is that constant and immutable rule which is the image of the Divine will by which the creatures live and the summe of which is the love of God and the love of our neighbours To enquire into the abrogation of this we will see 1. The Substance of it 2. The Circumstances of it 3. The Vses of it 1. The Substance of the morall is Love which our Savior divides To God that is the first and great Commandement and to the neighbour that is the second like unto the first Mat 22.37 38 39 40. The Apostle gives it in another method and division Tit. 2.12 A godly a righteous and a sober life Thus the law is not abrogated for the Substance is eternall 2. The Circumstances were many 1. Of the giver Moses A man an Hebrew 2. Of the Subject recipient the Iewes a limited people 3. Of the place Sinai a bounded hill and within the Iewes pale 4. Of the time fifty daies after their departure from Aegypt a period that had beginning and the beginning long after man had his 5. Of the exhibition given in Tables and by the ministry of Angels 6. Of the Curse which was annext or hung as a Tablet to the Tables of stone These are abrogate for wee have nothing to doe with Moses nor is the substance of the Law lesse ours because wee are not Iewes We looke not to Sinai the hill of Bondage but to Sion the mountain of grace and wee take the Law as an eternall will written in our hearts by the Spirit of God from which we do not expect life not feare rigour 3. The uses of this Law vary as a mans estate vavaries 1 Before sinne entred the use was for life and Iustification that is now abrogate for else Righteousnesse should be by the law but that being weake through the flesh it is now of promise 2 Vnder the state of sin the use intended was 1. To argue of sinne 2. To convince of weakenesse 3. To compell to seeke grace to have recourse to Christ And in this is abrogate in respect of curse and condemnation 3 Vnder the State of grace it hath an use convenient to it to bee a perpetuall Rule of life 1 A Glasse wherein wee may better know Gods wil. The servant or the sonne that is willing must learne yet how to actuate his willing disposition Though we as sonnes are guided by the Spirit of God and in our love unto God are ready unto all our services yet we need the word to be a light unto our feet and a lanthorne to our paths Psal 119.105 2 Wee need exhortation too and our sluggish flesh wants a sweete Monitour that we may be forwarded in our slackings and wandrings I am a stranger in the earth hide not thy Commandments from me Ps 119 19. 3 There 's another benefit Nec hodie minus quam olim doctrina legis locum habet in Ecclesia All Scripture is profitable for reproofe and for correction 2 Tim. 3 16. Wee cast not away that holy and good Law but know our sinnes provoke our dulnesse rule our carriage by it I 'll adde no more here because I shall be occasioned to speake more unto the Question in the use that I en end to make of what hath beene positively laid the use shal be for Instruction for Confutation for Exhortation 1 An use of Instruction This former Doctrin hath given a foundation to clear unto us that mystery How the Promise of the Covenant the Law and the Gospel referre one to another how they agree how they differ The Law the Promise and the Gospell may bee considered as opposite or subordinate 1 As Opposites The condition of the Law as given unto Adam excludes the necessity of making a promise and proclaiming a Gospell And the necessity of making a promise and publishing the Gospell declares that man obeied not the Law given for Iustification might not be Simul ex gratiâ et debito at once both of grace and of debt It implyes contradiction 2. As Subordinates The Promise ought to goe before the Gospell and to be fulfilled by it It was not fit so great a good as the Gospell should be had undesired nor was such desire to be made frustrate It was sit that the Law should be given that the necessity of the promise of grace might appeare that being convicted we might flye unto our Refuge so the whole Law served the Gospell and the
morall law still now that the promise and the Gospell are both received yet serves as a Rule and is still Subordinate But because there is weight in this Instruction I will bee more particular in it and discover 1 The comparison of the Law and the Gospell 1 How the agree 2 How they differ 2. The comparison of the Promise and the Gospell 1 How they agree 2 How they differ 1 In the comparison of the Law and Gospell wee must deale as Plutarch in his Greeke and Romane lives to examine the proportions and disproportions so wee shall best finde the just difference 1 How they agree and therein 1. Generally both as the Law was first giuen to Adam and afterward again by Moses So it agrees with the Gospell in the generall consideration of the Author the Matter the End and the Subject 1 The Author of both in a generall consideration was God 2 The Matter of both in a generall consideration was Commands and Promises 3 The End of both in a generall consideration the glory of Gods Attributes his Wisedome and his Goodnesse and his Iustice 4 The Subject of both in a generall consideration Man 2. Specially As the law was given to Adam it agrees with the Gospell in the then possibility of performance 2 How they differ and herein againe consider we the Law 1 As brought to Adam 2 As given by Moses 1 As the law was brought to Adam it much differs from the Gospell 1 In the speciall consideration of the Author God the Trinity gave the Law without having respect to Christ but God gracious and mercifull having respect unto his Christ gave the Gospell Now to apprehend God as hee then entended himselfe to bee knowne meerely as a Creator and a Soveraign rule were to make ourselves miserably uncomfortable 2 In the Speciall consideration of the 〈…〉 the first Covenant wâ—s of mans workes the second of Gods grace the Law Doe this and love the Gospell If thou beleevest thou shalt be saved 〈◊〉 faith also or beleeving is not here required as a worke These two are very opposite and mutually destroy each other If by grace then it is no more of workes otherwise grace is no more grace but if it be of workes then is it no more grace otherwise workes is no more workes Rom. 11.6 3 In the speciall consideration of the manner of exhibition the first Covenant stood on mans righteousnesse the second on anothers Christs imputed and made ours the first mutable because upon the mutability of mans will the second firme upon the foundation of Gods immutable wil 't is an everlasting Covenant 4 In the manner of remuneration the reward or the added good was there of debt is here of grace there no other reward was revealed but what earthly paradise afforded but here heaven is set open 5 In the speciall consideration of the subiect 1 The Law was to man innocent the Gospell to man a sinner 2 The Law was to Adam and universally to all his posterity the Gospell onely to the seed to the elect in Christ 6 In the speciall consideration of the End that was for the glory of Gods wisedome and justice this for the glory of his mercy and iustice tempered that Law was a Covenant of Iustice without assisting mercy this Gospell is a Covenant of Iustice and mercy together I see the Iustice of my God fulfilled by my Christ and the mercy of my Father extended in and for Christ 2 As the Law was given by Moses it differs from the Gospell 1 In some maines 1 In the distinct consideration of the Author God as angry gave the Law as reconciled gave the Gospell therefore the Law-giving was accompanyed with signes of wrath the Gospell with the tokens of Gods good pleasure as the Apostle fully puts the differences in that discription of either Hebr. 12.18 19 20 21 22. 2 In the mediatour S. Iohn hath cleared this For the Law came by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Iesus Christ Ioh 1.17 A servant was the Mediatour of that the Lord the Mediator of his 3 In the bloud confirming each that Testament was confirmed by the bloud of beasts this by the bloud of the Sonne of God 4 In the Adiuncts 1. The Law was poore and weak unable to give life but the Gospell is Gods strong Arme the power of God unto salvation 2. The law was a burthen which they were not able to beare the Gospell is a light Burthen and an easie Yoake 5 In the effects the Law is a killing letter the Gospel is a quickening Spirit the Law is the ministry of death and condemnation the Gospell the ministry of Spirit and life Hagar generates unto bondage and they that are of the Law are captive Sarah generates unto liberty and her sonnes are free The law â—s an hand-wrâ—ting of Ordinances against us the Gospell is an acquittance for us the Sermon of the Crosse upon which that Hand-writing is nayled and made of no use When the law shewes me a bill of my sinnes sealed I can shew the Gospell a general discharge See your evidence is not valid 't is cancelled upon the Crosse 2. In some circumstances 1. Of the Subiect wherin the Covenants were written the Law upon tables of stone the Gospell in the fleshy Tables of the heart that former was an hard Covenant without me this is made easie to mee because written in mee 2 Of the place Sinai and Sion Sinai from whence was the Law was a Mount that might not be touched that burned with fire a place of blackenesse and darkenesse and tempest But Mount Sion the City of the living God 3 Of the Time 1. Of promulgation 2. Of duration that till Christ this unto eternity 2 Wee have seene the comparison of the Law and Gospel in their agreemeÌ„ts and differences now the coÌ„parison of the Covenant of Promise and the Gospel 1 They agree together in substance 1 In the efficient cause from the sole gracious mecy of God respecting us in Christ 2 The matter of both the same the obedience of Faith unto life 3 The end of both the praise of Gods glorious grace 4 The subiect the same both made to sinners not that worke but that doe beleeve 5 The effects are the same for both do generate unto liberty 6 Lastly they are both sealed by the same Spirit both were confirmed by oath and therefore neither of them to bee abolished but one to succeed the other the former to bee fulfilled by the latter 2 They differ onely in some accidentals 1 Of the Obiect the Promise respected Christ to come the Gospel Christ now already exhibited 2 Of the Faith the Faith of the Promise was more darke the Faith of the Gospell more cleare for Christ appeared to them in types now as it were face to face 3 Of the Subiect 1 That to them onely this to all people the water of that promise ranne within the Channell of Israel this is an Ocean and
bad yet we ill interpret that name On the contrary some Actions commonly accompanied with good circumstances as to be studious sound wel and are conceived to tend to good though a mans study may as well be evill and corrupt 3. Indifferents cease to be Indifferents when by Authority they are commanded or forbidden Nothing ought to bee commanded but onely good nor any thing but evil prohibited What is indifferent in the nature cannot simply absolutely and perpetually be forbidden or commanded but commanded as it comes nearer to good and as nearer to evill forbidden From these grounds wee may draw Rules for our freedome from or obedience to for changed Indifferences and the Constitutions of men 2. Wee have the nature of our freedome described now the Ends both of it and of the doctrine of it are 1. To pacifie the conscience that that great Director may not be left floting but may know what ground it hath and how it may proceed 2. To remove away superstition that the minde may know it is not tyed to a throng of needlesse observances and discouraging feares 3. To direct us in our worke in the comfort and readinesse of our set working 3. There remaines the third proposed The Consequents from the former 1. The freedome is spirituall therefore 1. Not Civill Then are the Anabaptists mad who would reject all law and make the whole world levell denying obedience to Lawes and lawfull Magistrates a disease begun in the distempered heads of Iohn of Leiden and the mad men of Munster opposed among others chiefly by the holy zeale of Luther whose doctrine of Reformation was dangerously mistaken by those fanatickes which I â—he rather note because some halfe issues of that monstrous Birth call that blessed Apostle of our later times to patronize their conceits and errours about the morall Law 2. Not Carnall whence then are our ordinary excesses in the use of good things our surfetting tables and variety of delicates doe sufficiently witnesse our carnall licenciousnesse that I need not instance the pride of our fashions the immoderatenesse of our pleasures But these are Indifferents True if they bee used indifferently but Excesses are not What may bee lawfully used by an inordinate desire to it and delight in it is made uncleane Such Inordinates are defiled and by the witnesse of the Apostle Titus 1.15 To them that are defiled nothing is pure Our Saviour hath shewed a difference Luke 6.2 Woe unto you that are rich for yee have received your Consolation Woe unto you that are full 'T is lawfull to enioy an estate Why then is the Woe against them They are immoderate when being Rich they receive their Consolation and are Full It argues they have made their state their Happinesse This is the peoples sinne Amos 6.1.6 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion that drink wine in Bowles and annoynt themselves with chiefe oyntments When wee come to be at ease in our enioyments we abuse our Liberty But these things are then truly Indifferent when wee are come to Pauls Resolve Philip. 4.11 12. I have learned to be content I know how to bee abased and how to abound to be full and to be hungry 2. Though Spirituall it is an immunity Then if wee have a Charter from heaven how dare any deny it or with-hold it Those miserable men that are under the Popish yoake have many heavy loads laid on their Consciences the Pontificials dealing with the Abused as Pharaohs Taskemasters with the afflicted Israelites they load them hard and then beat them when they are loaden 3. The ends are 1. To quiet the Conscience therefore not to afflict the Consciences of others They abuse their Liberty that use it unseasonably to the hindering of the weake Some young Christians of Corinth would eate Idolothyts meats offered to Idols to that end onely to shew their Liberty but they are answered by the Apostle Licent quae expediunt 1 Cor. 10.24 Theod. reads with Interrogative Omnia mibi licent Sed non expediunt Chrysost Ambros read without All things are lawfull for mee but all things are not expedient And in another place hee applyes it more directly Brethren yee have beene called unto liberty onely use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh but by love serve one another Gal. 5.13 Christ hath loosed the yoake not that wee should bee more wanton but more chearefull as S. Chrysostome hath well followed the minde of the Apostle who Non monet ut illegitima fiat vitae ratio sed ut legem transcendat Philosophia soluta enim sunt legit vincula non ut dejiciamur sed ut erigamur ad altiora Etenimtam is quiscortatur quam is qui in Virginitate persevâ—rat legis terminos excessit verum non eodem mâ—do sed hic quidem in deteriora prolapsus ille â—ero ad meliora provectus sic ut alter praetergrâ— sus sit legem alter super-gressus Hoc itaque dic Paulus Christus Iugum vobis relaxavit noÌ„ ut exilati aut calcitretis sed ut absque jugo compositè incedatis Chr. in loc Qui per charitatem servit libere seruit Aug. 1 Cor. 8.11 strongly argues against this abuse from the great danger of it to the perverting of a weake brothers soule If thou hast knowledge and eatest Idolothyts another shall be encouraged to doe it ignorantly and therfore sinfully Through thy knowledge shall thy weake brother perish for whom Christ dyed Wilt thou suffer thy brother to perish for so small a cause he taking occasion to doc as a Tuo actu illum occidis quando a te fieri videt quod ille aliter inteligit tu eris occasio mortis fratri quem Christus ut redimeret crucisigi se permissit Amb. in 1. Cor. cap. 8. Ambrose speakes what he understands not or as b Christus pro fratre mori non recusavit tu autem ne in anima quidem inducis â—adâ—â—â—tis â—â—becillitaâ— te deâ—tas â—mmoâ— Chrys Chrysostome Christ dyed for him and wilt not thou deny thy selft for him But the danger is not more to the weak brother then to the wilfull offender for it followes in the next verse c 〈◊〉 â—â—hrys Aug de verb. Dom. Serm. 16. But when yee sinne so against the brethren ye sinne against Christ 2. A second end is to remove superstition therefore it doth plainely condemne such as use their liberty to superstition They dare venture upon any observations unwarranted by any thing but blinde Custome plead All is lawfull 3. A third end is to direct us in our walke wee therefore have liberty and are made acquainted with our liberty that we might know how unconstrainedly to frame our obedience making use of the Law but not in servitude unto it which therefore condemnes such as quite cast away the Law as if of no use and prove themselves of lawlesse and ungoverned humours true Libertines Give me leave to make a double application
matter or occasion requires it If mans bee much more is Gods Covenant inviolable Obiect But the Reason doth not hold Others indeed cannot undoe mens Covenants but themselves by consent can Ans Yet here it cannot be so for when Covenants are made to be perpetuall if one breake he is perfidiout if both they are inconstant God is neither the one were to admit wickednesse the other infirmity in him either of which were to make him not God The Law could not make voyd the promise for 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Covenant was before confirmed 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of God who hath liberty and Saveraignty 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Christ the Mediatour of the Covenant The promises of the Law and the Gospell doe much differ The promises of the Law are to particular persons those of the Gospell to us in Christ It comforts us abundantly in our infirmities we neither expect nor receive the promises immediately from God but from Christs hand Again 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 excludes merits God gave the Promise to Abraham though the Law were afterward given it could not make the gift voide If a rich man adopt another freely and after some yeers lay some commands upon him yet it hinders not that the Adoption is free for the Inheritance is not because of those commands There needes no more for the Argument onely the Text of it doth occasion a double question one Hystoricall another Chronologicall The Hystoricall Question is what Ratification the Apostle speaks of We read of three Confirmations 1. One by a faederall Sacrifice Gen. 15.18 when upon Gods command Abraham had offered and divided his Sacrifice in that same day the Lord made a Covenant with Abraham 2. Another by a generall expression Genes 17.1 2. when Abraham was ninety yeares old and nine the Lord appeared and said I am God All sufficient walke before mee and bee upright 3. A third by a solemne oath Gen. 22.16 By my selfe have I sworne saith the Lord In blessing I will blesse thee Here the first of these is signified For 1. Though a Promise were made there is no mention of a Covenant before this 2. And from this wee have the right number of yeares after mentioned The Chronologicall question depends upon that former how the years may be computed Steven names but 400. yeares Act. 7.6 so was the prophecie Epist ad Dam Quest 47. in Exod De Civit Dei lib. 16 cap. 24. Gen. 15.13 Hierome hath troubled himselfe and left the knot so fast as he found it So hath Saint Austin No lesse Genebrard and Dunus reckoning from the discent of Iacob and others from Abrahams departure out of Haran Gen 12.4 But if we reckon from his 85. yeare we shall find a right Computation From that time till the birth of Isaac wâ—re 15. yeares And Abraham was an hundred years old when his sonne Isaac was borne unto him Gen. 1.5 From the birth of Isaac till the birth of his sonne Iacob were 60 yeares And Isaac was threescore yeares old when shee bare them Gen. 25.26 From the birth of Iacob tâ—ll his discent into Aegypt were 130. yeares And Iacob said unto Pharaoh the dayes of the yeares of my pilgrimage are an 130 yeares Gen. 47 9. From Iacobs discent unto his death were 17. yeares And Iacob lived in the Land of Aegypt seventeene yeares Gen. 47.28 From his death till the death of Ioseph were 53. yeares which appeares from some coÌ„pared Texts Gen. 41.46.45 6 50.26 From the death of Ioseph till the birth of Moses were 75 yeares as is gathered from received Chronologers And from his birth till the departure of â—srael from Aegypt were eighty yeares And Moses was fourscore yeares old when he spake to Pharaoh Exod. 7.7 Now the peoples departure and the giving of the Law were the same yeare That the first Month the foureteenth Day This the third day of the third moneth These being summ'd make up the proposed number I have done with the two former generall parts of the Apostles method 1. The Explication of the Doctrine of Free Iustification 2. The Confirmation of it by testimony of Scripture and by nine Arguments Applic. 3. I now proceede to the third general part the Application of this Doctrine Hee applyes it by discovering the Vse and Abrogation of the Law Which he performeth in this manner 1. By clearing two Objections against what hee had delivered 2. By a more plaine discussing of the Question concerning the Law how abrogated how usefull 1. Hee cleares Objections They are two 1. The first Objection Obiect 1 and the Solution of it in the 19. and 20. verses The Text. VERS 19. Wherefore then sâ—rveth the Law It was added because of Transgressions till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made and it was ordained by Angels in the hand of a Mediatour VERS 20. Now a Mediatour is not a Mediator of one but God is one THe obiection may bee thus If the Inheritance be by Promise what need the law then bee given so long after So Augustine understands it But let us see it in the fuller force Aug lib. 1. Retra c. 24. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To what end then serveth the Law Either Righteousnesse is by the Law or the Law is in vaine But the Law is not in vaine Therefore Righteousnes comes by it This is the false pleading of Iusticiaries If say they the Law is not to Iustifie why then is it given Why are we burdened with it Why bound to obey it The envious workemen in the Vineyard could not endure that such as had not wrought so much as they should yet receive the same wages Why have we toiled the whole day if others as well as wee receive every one a penny Merit-mongers endure not the Doctrin of a free grace but murmure against the Gospell as the Chiefe-Priests against Christs Sermon Hee had told them Mat. 21.31 Verily I say unto you That the Publicans and the Harlots goe into the kingdome of God before you This they cannot beare They perceived that he spake of them and would have laid hands upon him but that they feared the multitude Mat. 21.45 46. What Have wee beene so strict in our Legall Observances Have wee worne so long Phylacteries Shall Publicans Shall poore men Shall sinners Shall ignorants Shall women bee equall with us Then the Law is to no purpose and to as little purpose is our Observation of it Then let us sinne let us breake the Law let us doe nothing nay let us doe any thing if this Doctrine may bee Preached When our Saviour Preach'd they said hee made men Rebels unto Caesar So when wee Preach Free Iustification they say This is to make men lawlesse to make them altogether carelesse to hinder good workes If the Law Iustifie not then wherefore serveth it This is the obiection But the Apostle answers They make not a sufficient enumeration for there is a
wee by nature being chained and servants to divers lusts and pleasures Christ was pleased to deliver us and to pay his bloud a ransome Oh let us live unto him that dyed for us Worke and bee Thankefull I may change the word of the Martyr Pray Pray Pray into another seasonable for these times Worke Worke Worke. Beloved They are dull times that wee are fallen upon let us not bee dully negligent with the times I may bespeake you as our Saviour in that parable to the Loyterers Cur statis otiosi Why stand ye all the day idle Why doe yee dishonour your faith Open the mouthes of the adverse part Bring a staine upon the professed Religion Worke for Gods sake for the Faiths sake for Religion sake for your owne sake worke We spend a away our times idlely one talkes away his time another sports away his time another trades away his time almost all doe lavish it away Why stand yee all your youth al your age all your life time idle Hath no man hired you Was not the bloud of Christ laid down for you Let us at length bee ashamed of our barrennesse and unfruitfulnesse in good works Let us be acquainted with our Masters will and to that end make use of the Law That the Righteousnesse of the Law may be fulfilled in us who walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit Rom 8.4 The Law is a royall Law and must be observed If ye fulfil the royall Law 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the Scripture Aquinas Gorrhan Faber yee doe well Iam. 2.8 Some understand it of the Gospell only but unfitly The Royall Law is as the Royall way the Kings high-way a plaine Rode without turnings or by-paths 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 et 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Regia lex sicnt via Regia fine diverticulis A by-way is a compassing way the Law the will of God is onely streight The passage by the Law is like the passage intended by Israel thorow Edom they would goe by the Kings High-way and neither turne to the right hand nor to the left Num. 20 17. Let us use that way cōscionably let us use it and receive not the Grace of God invain 2 Cor. 6.1 That we may receive that grace into our hearts as well as into our eares And by this we may make a tryall also of our workes 1. If we receiue not that grace in vain wee shall receive a power to inable us together with the command and if wee receive the Law the Word in power it begets us more then to a meere forme 2. If wee receive not that grace in vaine wee receive a will to obey so well as we doe obey and wee shall obey willingly though there were no Law nor no curse The Christian delights in the command and so the yoke is easie they are a willing people in the day of Gods power Psa 110.3 and serue God not in the oldnesse of the letter but in the newnes of the spirit Rom. 7 6.3 If wee receive not that grace in vaine wee shall prize Grace and make it our endevour to expresse our selves thankfull Let it be our care to know the will of God and to doe it And because wee shall never performe the Law wel till the Law be within us let us challenge of God the Covenant That hee would write the Law in our inward parts FINIS The Contents THE Analysis of the second Chap. to the Galatians pag. 2 3 c. Doct. A man is not iustified by the workes of the Law but by the Faith of Iesus Christ p. 7 Explication of the Doctrine ibid. What Iustice is p 8 What Iustification is p. 9 The Explication of the Name ibid. Of the thing it selfe 12 The nature of Iustification ibid. The Degrees 13 The Kindes ibid. The false causes of Iustification excluded 15 Papists Tenet of Iustification by workes their evasion of a twofold merit confuted ibid. to 24 The true meritorious cause of Iustification Christ Iesus 24. to 29 How Christ is our Righteousnesse viz. by Faith 29 What Faith is ibid. Faith seated both in the will and intellect 30 The manner how Faith Iustifies 1. Negatively 31 2. Positively 32 Faith not the meritorious cause of our Iustification 33 Faith Iustifieth not because of Gods gracious acceptance 34 Iustification by Faith confirmed by Testimony 39 By Arguments Argument 1. 40 c. The Doctrine of Christian Liberty 48. c. Liberty divers 49 Liberty described 51 What we are freed from 54 Of Indifferents 60 Indifferents twofold Things Men. 60 61 Constitutions of men two-fold Politicall Ecclesiasticall 61 62. Conclusions touching the nature and extent of Indifferents 63 The ends of our freedome and of the DoctrIne of it 66 71 72 73 False conceits of Christian Liberty 67 Exhortation to stand fast in our Liberty 75 Obiection answered 79 Exhortation to reioyce in our Liberty 80 Argum. 2. of our Iustification by Faith 91 A two-fold absurdity in the tenet of Iustification by the Law ibid. c. Argum. 3. Of Iustification by Faith 95 How farre forth wee may bee angry 97 Hereticall Teachers bewitchers 99 In our reproofes wee must labour to bee both plaine and pleasing 100 Doct. 1. Faith seeth things that are farre removed 102 Doct. 2. All our Preaching must be to paint out Christ to the people 104 Argum. 4. Of Iustification by Faith 111 The absurdity of expecting Iustification by the works of the Law 112 Argum. 5. Of Iustification by Faith 117 118 c. Argum. 6. 122 Argum. 7. 126 Argum. 8. 129 Six things observable 1. Who hath redeemed us 2. From whom 3. From what 4. How it was done 5. To what end 6. By what mean Gal. 2.13 131 132 Argum. 9. 134 135 Obiection against the inheritance being of promise answered 136 The promises of the Law and Gospell differ 138 139 Confirmation in Scripture three-fold 140 Application of the Doctrin of Iustification by Faith 144 obiection 1. If we be iustified by Faith onely to what end serveth the Law 145 146 Answered 149 The use of the Law 152 153 154 Reasons for the continuing of the Law 154 Question concerning the duration of the Law 158 By whom the Law was ordained 16◠Two commendations of the Law 161 166 The inference of the Papists for the Mediation of Saints and Angels from the Mediatorship of Moses confuted 170 Christ is not a Mediator of one 171 A Mediator what 173 The cause of disagreement ibid. Twofold Application 1. From the use of the Law 2. From the continuance of that use 17◠The use of the Law two fold 1. Civill 2. Spirituall ibid. The Civill use of the Law to restraine sinnes ibid. The Spirituall use to discover the nature of sin to us 177 The way to get mercy is to know we need it 183 The Law was added till the Seed should come expounded literally and spiritually 185 Obiections of an