Chapter 19: Of the Law of God

God gave to Adam a Law, as a Covenant of Works, by which he bound him, and all his posterity to personall, entire, exact, and perpetuall obedience; promised life upon the fullfilling, and threatned death upon the breach of it: and indued him with power and ability to keep it.^a

God gave to Adam a Law, as a Covenant of Works, by which he bound him, and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it: and endowed him with power and ability to keep it.^a

This Law, after his fall, continued to be a perfect rule of righteousnesse, and, as such, was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten Commandements, and written in two Tables:^a the four first Commandements containing our duty towards God; and the other six, our duty to man.^b

This Law, after his fall, continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness, and, as such, was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten Commandments, and written in two Tables:^a the four first Commandments containing our duty towards God; and the other six, our duty to man.^b

Beside this Law, commonly called Moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel, as a Church under age, Ceremoniall Laws containing severall typicall Ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits;^a and partly, holding forth divers instructions of moral duties.^b All which Ceremonial Laws are now abrogated, under the new Testament.^c

Beside this Law, commonly called Moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel, as a Church under age, Ceremonial Laws containing several typical Ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits;^a and partly, holding forth various instructions of moral duties.^b All which Ceremonial Laws are now abrogated, under the new Testament.^c

To them also, as a Body Politique, he gave sundry Judicial Laws, which expired together with the State of that people; not obliging any other now, further than the general equity thereof may require.^a

To them also, as a Body Politic, he gave various Judicial Laws, which expired together with the State of that people; not obliging any other now, further than the general equity thereof may require.^a

The Moral Law doth for ever binde all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof;^a and that, not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creatour, who gave it^b Neither doth Christ, in the Gospel, any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.^c

The Moral Law does for ever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof;^a and that, not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator, who gave it^b Neither does Christ, in the Gospel, any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.^c

Although true Beleevers be not under the Law, as a Covenant of Works, to be thereby justified, or condemned;^a yet, is it of great use to them, as well as to others; in that, as a Rule of life informing them of the will of God, and their duty, it directs, and binds them to walk accordingly;^b discovering also the sinfull pollutions of their nature, hearts, and lives;^c so as, examining themselves thereby, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against sin;^d together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ, and the perfection of his obedience.^e It is likewise of use to the Regenerate, to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin:^f and, the threatnings of it serve to shew, what, even their sins, deserve; and, what afflictions, in this life, they may expect for them, although freed from the curse thereof threatned in the Law.^g The Promises of it, in like manner, shew them Gods approbation of obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof;^h although, not as due to them by the Law, as a Covenant of Works.ⁱ So as, a mans doing good, and refraining from evil, because the Law encourageth to the one, and deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the Law; and, not under grace.^j

Although true Believers be not under the Law, as a Covenant of Works, to be thereby justified, or condemned;^a yet, is it of great use to them, as well as to others; in that, as a Rule of life informing them of the will of God, and their duty, it directs, and binds them to walk accordingly;^b discovering also the sinful pollutions of their nature, hearts, and lives;^c so as, examining themselves thereby, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against sin;^d together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ, and the perfection of his obedience.^e It is likewise of use to the Regenerate, to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin:^f and, the threatenings of it serve to show, what, even their sins, deserve; and, what afflictions, in this life, they may expect for them, although freed from the curse thereof threatened in the Law.^g The Promises of it, in like manner, show them Gods approbation of obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof;^h although, not as due to them by the Law, as a Covenant of Works.ⁱ So as, a mans doing good, and refraining from evil, because the Law encourages to the one, and deters from the other, is no evidence of his being under the Law; and, not under grace.^j

Neither are the forementioned Uses of the Law contrary to the grace of the Gospel, but doe sweetly comply with it;^a the Spirit of Christ subduing, and inabling the will of man, to do that, freely and chearfully, which the will of God, revealed in the Law, requireth to be done.^b

Neither are the forementioned Uses of the Law contrary to the grace of the Gospel, but do sweetly comply with it;^a the Spirit of Christ subduing, and enabling the will of man, to do that, freely and cheerfully, which the will of God, revealed in the Law, requires to be done.^b