The three Questions OF Free Iustification Christian Liberty The use of the Law Explicated in a briefe Comment on St. PAVL to the Galatians from the 16. ver of the second Chapter to the 26. of the third By SAM TORSHELL Pastor of Bunbury in Cheshire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Basil hom 29. adv Ca um S. Trin. LONDON Printed by I.B. for H. Overton and are to be sold at his shop in Popes-head-Alley at the entring into Lumbardstreet 1632. The right Worshipful the MASTER the WARDENS and the rest of the Company of HABERDASHERS in London T Is not custome but a right that challenges the Dedication They are Sermons which were preached in that Interim while I was yours though at London and to that people whom I still equally both love and honour and who at that time owned my Preac ings yet after your choyce had separated mee from them to a remoter Countrey and greater task Their desire first cald it to the Presse but 't is a trodden Complement to pleade Importunity nor doe I love it but must freely confesse That it is not onely by enforcement that I am abroad Every one that vouchsafes to bestow his eye so meanely may reade and with welcome Nor would I beg acceptance from Censure let men verdict as they please It were Pride and Selfe-seeking to crouch unto opinion My intendments are but to doe service to my great Master and them that are his The Humble and therefore from him onely are my expectations If God might have honour and Gods people benefit harshest Censure shold not discourage mee from publishing this or more I affect not their Nicenesse that will bee their owne Closets and Cabinet up their owne labours If wee have but one Talent it must bee put unto the Banke God endures not the Napkin Let God the Church have our Studies if we be conscionable wee cannot lose by our sweat The Subiect of this discourse cannot be unusefull the frame is but rude I intended not ornament much ornament becomes not a Sermon That Trumpet of the Gospell the learned Paul determins to know nothing among his Corinths save Iesus Christ and him crucified But what ere it is I have made it you-s as a testimony of those respects I beare you and how iustly I owe them upon Bonds not few nor ordinary The Lord adde unto what he hath bestowed upon you and make you answerable to your wonted goodnesse It is the prayer of Your servant in the businesse of God SAM TORSHEL Bunbary 1631. OF JVSTIFICATION BY FAITH THE Questions of Free Iustification of our Christian Liberty and of the use of the Law are agitated of late not without much heat while one side carefull the other side fearful of good works doe both strive for Christ and mistake each others grounds They are untoward names wherewith Christians brand one the other while one is called a Legalist another pointed at for an Antinomist and this man repayes the former with the hateful name of Iusticiary peevish expressions of weake minds Can we not dispute unlesse we contend It were a presumption to endevour a reconcilement unfit for my few years and not much fit for this place I shall onely say so much as may best suit for popular Sermons for an audieÌ„ce not nicely curious If we begin an analyse at this chapter there are two parts Gal. 2. I. The continuation of the Apostles narration where hee relates two passed Acts 1. That at Ierusalem with the Apostles from the first to the eleventh verse 2. That at Antioch with Peter In which 1. The sum of the whole businesse vers 11. 2. The particulars of the severall passages they these 1. What Peter did v. 12. 2. The consequent of that error vers 13. 3. Pauls following reprehension In which wee have 1. The manner of it by way of an interrogation to presse it therby more closely 2. The matter of it That is double 1. Hee prooves the Hypothesis that those present Gentiles ought not in that to have Iudaized which he proves from Peters owne contrary fact vers 14. 2. He proves the Thesis That the Gentiles ought not at all to seeke righteousnesse from the law This 1. Hee proves from the common fact of all the Apostles vers 15. Wee who are Iewes by nature c. If any might looke for righteousnesse from the law then we might by the best reason doe it having privilege above all other people for we are borne Iewes born to the righteousnesse of the Law wee have the Fathers the Covenant the Promises and are not sinners of the Gentiles alieni faederis strangers from the Covenant as they are yet we know that a man cannot be justified by the Law 2. He confirms it from the general doctrine of Iustification vers 16. II. The second part is the Returne of the Apostles speech to the Galatians wherein 1. Hee layes downe the doctrine of free Iustification the maine Argument o his Epistle vers 16. For this verse is both the close of the former and beginning of this part by an artfull and almost unperceiued transition passing from one to the other 2. He proves it by severall arguments which take up the rest of this Chapter and eighteene verses of the next 3. He makes use of it by deduction of some consequents from the 19. verse of the third Chapter and so following I shall goe on in an easie method and follow Paul in his therfore I lay downe for the ground of my following discourse this generall Doctrine That a man is not iustified by the workes of the Law but by the Faith of Iesus Christ This truth I shall first explicate secondly confirme thirdly apply which being done we shall somewhat comprehend those controverted tenents The explication is in this 16. verse Knowing that is 1 Explicat Wee doe know 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But that we may take the explication more full we will observe those particulars which the verse affords us they are these 1. What Iustification is 2 The exclusion of false causes of it 3. The true meritorious cause 4. The meanes of application Concerning the first that we may take the whole nature of it we will see 1. What Iustice is 2. What is Iustification 1. Concerning Iustice Thus Iustice or righteousnesse is a perfect conformity or agreement with the Divine Law which admits a double name 1. Legall which is that righteousnes or conformity to Gods Law which is inherent in our selves a iustice of workes and it is either 1. A iustice of obedience in doing all in leaving undone nothing Or 2. A iustice of satisfaction in enduring the penalty for default of obedience 2. Evangelicall which is that rigâ—teousnesse or conformity to Divine law not inherent in our selves but being in another is reckoned ours A iustice of faith 2. Concerning Iustification therein 1. Of the Name 2. Of the Thing For one gives light to the other 1. Of
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
to deserve our iustification 3. Nor is Faith such an action which though it have not merit yet by favourable acceptance is taken as if it were the perfect righteousnesse of the law 4. But it iustifies as it is in relation to that obiect which it embraces and which obiect is our Iustification It iustifies Relativè et Organicè relatively and instrumentally ut terminatur in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christi Faith lookes upon layes hold on Christ on his merits on his sufficiencies and thus is termed Iustifying Faith These I laid in this manner to cleare this Truth from a double error 1. One is of the Papists and more grosse who say That Faith iustifies per modum causae efficientis et meritoriae as an efficient and meritorious cause This is delivered by Cardinall Bellarmine lib. 1. de Iust cap. 17. and by the Iesuite Pererius Com. in Gen. cap. 15. I answer if Faith had merit to justifie it should then goe before Iustification et ratione et tempore both in nature and time which we may not grant for Faith is by it selfe a part of sanctification and that wee cannot conceive to goe before our Iustification that namely which is Foro Divino in Gods sight But I meant but to name this because it is enough knowne 2. The other is later and a little more subtile They say Faith justifies sensu proprio in a proper sense That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 credere the very beleeving is imputed for righteousnesse Non quidem merito suo sed propter gratuitam acceptilationem Dei Not say they for its owne merit but because of favourable allowance it is accepted as if it had merit so in a gracious acceptilation it is received for righteousnesse This was delivered by Faustus Socinus lib. 4. cap. 4. pag. 334. Fâ—rwarded by others also But to cleare our selves of this we argue against it briefly thus 1. No man is Iustified by an act of his owne This proposition is true from expresse Scripture Eph. 2.5 By grace ye are saved ver 9. Not of workes Now the chayne is surely linckt justification and salvation Rom. 8 29 30. Or more in the words Tit. 3.6 7. Not by works of righteousnesse which wee have done but according to his mercy he saved us being Iustified by his grace And if by grace then it is no more of workes otherwise grace is no more grace Rom. 11.6 But to beleeve is an act of our own I meane not any exclusion of the spirits helpe for God workes all our works in us onely this I would say that the work takes its denomination from the next agent and man is said to beleeve Therfore it is cleare no Iustification by the Act of beleeving 2. God accounts that for perfect righteousnesse which is so indeed The Apostle witnesseth the honour of Gods truth Rom. 2.2 Wee are sure that the Iudgement of God is according to truth But they dare not but confesse it that Faith is not indeed true righteousnesse of the Law or if otherwise yet this were enough against it that if Faith were that Righteousnesse and Iustification were by it then a man should be Iustified by two righteousnesses which no reason wil admit for if one be sufficient there needeth not any other and to grant it what were it but to thrust out Christ and all his merits as if he were needlesse and they insufficient They reply somewhat and strangely in an odde distinction of a double Iudgement in God Iudicium Iustitiae et Iudicium misericordiae They say God sometimes iudgeth with a Iudgement of Iustice and then hee accounts nothing for such but what is truly such Sometimes with a Iudgement of mercy and then laying aside rigour he graciously allowes what in truth is not such But what impiety is this indistinguishing of God to separate God from God his Truth from his mercy Nay they doe ever meete in God In another kinde we wil admit the distinction and not divide God lookes upon the righteousnesse of Christ that is perfect here is a Iudgement of Truth God lookes upon that righteousnesse as imputed to us not otherwise ours here is a Iudgement of mercy the double Iudgment that they speake of yet Mercy and Truth are met together â— I have done with what I first named 2 Confirmation the Explication I propounded secondly to prove what is so explayned and wee may see it strengthened partly by Testimony partly by Arguments 1. 1 By testimonies The Testimonies of parallell Scriptures are plaine see one or two Rom. 3.28 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We conclude That a man is iustified by faith without the deeds of the Law Rom. 5.1 Being iustified by Faith we have peace Rom 4.6 David describes the blessednesse of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousnesse without workes Verse 9 Wee say that Faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousnesse â—his he tooke out of the witnesse of sacred history Gen. 15.6 He beleeved in the Lord and hee accounted it to him for righteousnesse To omit others the Apostle here subioynes one in the latter end of this 16. verse which hee receives from that Psalmist Psal 143 2. In thy sight shall no man living be iustified The Hebrew originall strictly renders it selfe by the Septuagint thus All flesh shall not be iustified 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but the Greeke frames that Hebraisme thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 No flesh and so the present Text reads it 2 By Arguments 2. The arguments are many which the Apostle hath disposed into a just method is large in them as containing in them a great deale of matter full of mystery and ful of comfort 1. The first argument is Argum. 1 laid out unto us in the 17 18 19 20. verses The Text. GAL. 2.17 But if while we seeke to bee iustified by Christ we our selves also are found sinners is therfore Christ the minister of sinne God forbid VERS 18. For if I build again the things that I destroyed I make my selfe a Transgressor VERS 19. For I through the Law am dead to the Law that I might live unto God Vers 20. I am crucified with Christ Neverthelesse I live yet not I but Christ liveth in mee and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the sonne of God who loved me and gave himselfe for me Chrysostome and Hierome referre this in the 17. vers to Peter but more genuinely is it referred by others to the Galatians to al and the force of the Argument This Christ cals us froÌ„ the Law to faith but if faith be not sufficient unlesse the law be also broght in then shall Christ seeme to patronize sinne by calling us from that Law by vertue of which sin is expiated If we who that we might bee Iustified have given our names to Christ doe yet want righteousnes unlesse wee embrace Circumcision and the Ceremonies of the Law
Faith the Law is not Faith Therefore Righteousnesse is not by the Law No man is Iustified by the Law Coram Deo before or in the sight of God before men workes may Iustifie Was not Abraham our Father Iustified by workes when he had offered Isaak his sonne upon the Altar Iam. 2.21 Men iudge 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to appearance but saith the Apostle Rom. 2.2 Wee are sure that the Iudgement of God is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to Truth Therfore they that live before God that is attaine life must live by Faith This hee citeth from the Prophet Habakuk chap. 2. vers 4. A Scripture which Paul hath seemed much to have delighted in by his often Quotation of it Wee cannot live by the Law the reason is added The Covenant of it is to them that doe it Yee shall keepe my Statutes and my Iudgements which if a man doe he shall live in them I am the Lord. Lev. 18.5 He that hath walked in my Statutes and hath kept my iudgements to deale truly he is iust hee shall surely live saith the Lord God Ezek. 18.9 But the Covenant is other to Faith so that Legall and Evangelicall Iustification cannot meet together as this same Apostle disputes in another place Rom. 11.6 And if by grace then is it no more of works otherwise grace is no more grace But if it bee of workes then is it no more grace otherwise worke is no more worke It cannot be of both it must bee of one Now it is not of that therfore of this Not of that the Law for it is expressed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 No man is Iustified by the Law it is evident Argum. 8 8. The eighth Argument is in the thirteenth verse and fourteenth The Text. VERS 13. Christ hath redeemed us from the Curse of the Law being made a Curse for us for it is written cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree VVE are Iustified by that by which we have redemption from the Curse But by faith in Christ we have redemption Therefore by that are wee iustified The Minor proposition is the maine of the 13. and 14. verses The Consciences of the Galatians might have beene straightned and burdened with the mention of the Curse but are met and sweetned with this Confidite salva res est Be not dismayed there is a way of freedom found Christ hath Redeemed us This Argument is the summe of comfortable knowledge drawn from the marrow of the Gospell and delivers to our notice Hier. in Esa 50. Vide Ambr. in Loc. Et si propius aspicias videbis Christum maledictum torum factum a quibus eccisus est Crux enim Salvatâ—ris peccatum maledictum est Isdaeorum Septuag Aquilam Theodotionem Maledictio dei est qui suspensus est Symmachus Quia propter blasphemiam dei suspensus est those great mysteries 1. Who hath redeemed us Christ His was the worke and to him by the glorified is the prayse of the worke Thou art worthy for thou wast slaine and hast redeemed us to God by thy bloud Rev. 5 8. 2. Whom he hath redeemed Vs Abraham and Moses too None but by him 3. From what The Curse from active and passive from both wrath and paine 4. How it was done Hee was made a curse to omit the variety of reading and propriety of the word He derived unto himselfe what was our due being made of God and of himselfe Sinne for us Thus Christs death is our life his Crosse our Triumph his Malediction our Blessing 5. To what end all was wrought that the blessing might come The blessing of Abraham could not come unlesse the curse were taken away The blessing is the grace of Reconciliation Adoption Iustification and Life which hee cals againe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The promise of the Spirit Spirituall grace 6. The meane by which His Ours faith That wee might receive the promise of the Spirit through Faith We cannot but observe 1. The greatnesse and hainous nature of sinne such that it made Christ a Curse and put him to death That speare those nayles were thrust in not so much by the Iewes malice as by our sinnes At length let us learne the price of them and together to avoyd them How dare wee with so much secure boldnesse rush upon that which cost so deare a rate the bloud of Christ 2. The wisedome and goodnesse of Gods order Crux Christi amaras aquas vertit in dulcem saporem et securim perditam nissa influenta Iordanis levavit Hieron blessing by the Curse sweetnesse from the Crosse of Christ It was the wonder of Gods power and the glory of that wonder that in the Creation God did produce Aliquidex nihilo something out of nothing here is more good out of ill heaven out of hell the Blessing to us by Christ a Curse for us Argum. 9 9. The ninth and last Argument is added in the foure following verses The Text. VERS 25. Brethren I speak after the manner of men though it bee but a mans Covenant yet if it be confirmed no man disannulleth or addeth thereto VERS 16. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made Hee saith not And to seedes as of many but as of one And to thy Seed which is Christ VERS 17. And this I say That the Covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ the Law which was foure hundred and thirty yeares after cannot disannull that it should make the promise of none effect VERS 18. For if the inheritance be of the Law it is no more of promise but God gave it to Abraham by promise The InheritaÌ„ce is of promise Ergo not of the Law That is the argument and the conclusion in the 18. verse Hee frames it by an occupatory Apostrophe turning his speech as it were more directly to them to answer an Objection they might make Obiect The Inheritance was of promise before the Law was given but after the Law given it came to be of the Law for the latter Sanction doth derogate from the binding of the former Hee answers 'T is true unlesse the former were ratified or confirmed VVest par prim Symb. l. 2. sect 50. Fitz de nat â—re fo 169. B. 116. Vlpian l. pactum H. de polâ—â—cit In our Common-Law we call a ratification or confirmation a strengthening of an estate formerly had and yet voydable though not presently voyd But the Inheritance by promise was confirmed and foure hundred and thirty yeares before the Law was given vers 16 17. Brethren whom before hee called Fooles now hee cals Brethren we must lay aside the spirit of bitternesse and though there may be a division of Iudgements yet there should not be of hearts I speake after the manner of men with humane and popular similitudes and expressions Our Sermons may have somewhat of the Scholler and of the Orator though wee speake Gods Word yet in mans language when either the
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
Iewes it pertained not to the Gentiles and thus it cannot rightly be said to be abrogated unto them for none can be freed from the Law but they that were under the Law Gal. 4.5 The Gentiles were no more under Moses his Law as being the Law of Moses than the Romans under the lawes of Lycurgus or Solon the law-givers of Lacedemon and Athens The Gentiles sinned not against Moses hiâ— law but against the law of Nature and therefore are they said to have sinned without Law Rom. 2.12 Yet for substance this Law is the same with that of Moses the Decalogue for when the Gentiles which have not the Law doe by nature the things contained in the law These having not the law are a law unto themselves Rom. 2.14 Concerning the sâ—aelites some of them beleeved some of them persisted in unbeliefe of the former of these there is not any Question but they were freed Christ was given to redeeme them that were under the Law that they might receive the Adoption of sonnes Gal. 4.5 And of these we may understand the Scripturâ—s of the first position The latter sort though they were not freed by Christ because not in Christ yet now they are nec Mosaici nec Christiani properly neither Christians nor Mosaickes because Christ howsoever is the end of the Law therefore they are without ceremony and without law as being but usurpers upon that which they still hold and use To Beleevers it was not given as from Moses and therefore none of them are obnoxious to it as his for though they embrace the same commands that Moses gave yet they are not subjects to it but as now theirs by Christ A New Commandement I give unto you That ye love one another Iohn 13.34 ' Tts a Commandment for Christ is a Saviour and a Lord 'T is a New one for wee have it from the hand of our Christ 2. The Causes why law should be abrogated These were 1. That the Gentiles might be called Now in Christ Iesus ye who sometimes were afarre off are made migh by the bloud of Christ for hee is our peace who hath made both one and hath broken downe the middle wall of partition betweene us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ephes 2.13 14 Whatsoever was Intergerinus paries A middle wall of partition betweene Iewes and Gentiles is broken downe and abrogated But the substance of the Law did not hinder their consociation for these did by Nature the things contained in the Law Rom. 2.14 The Curse was that among other things which divided and equally divided them both from Christ now that they might bee subjected to and meete in one Christ the Curse must be abrogated 2. A second cause was because it was an intolerable burthen as Peter tells them in the Councell it was such a burthen as neither they nor their Fathers were able to beâ—re Act. 15.10 Hee speakes of the whole law all the kinds and the Apostle applyes it I testifie againe to every man that is circumcised that he is a debtor to doe the whole Law Gal. 5.3 That which makes the Law heavy proves it to be a burthen is abrogated and therefore Christ calls us to another burthen an easie one Take my Yoake upon you for my yoake is easie and my burthen light Mat. 11.29 30. This is the love of God that wee keepe his Commandements and his Commandements are not grievous 1 Ioh. 5.3 3. A third Cause was because the Law was unprofitable There is verily a disanulling of the Commandement going before for the weakenesse and unprofitablenes thereof for the law made nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better hope did by the which we draw nigh unto God Heb. 7.18 19. In the first Tabernacle were offered gifts and Sacrifices that could not make him that did the service perfect as pertaining to the conscience Hebr. 9.9 Saint Paul more particularly of the morall What the law could not doe in that it was weake through the flesh Rom. 8.3 The law being unprofitable unto Iustification therfore in the businesse of Iustification it is abrogated 4. A fourth cause was because the law was pernicious though not of its owne nature yet through the flesh The Minister of sinne working wrath But where the Spirit is there is liberty And therefore the law as a coacter Aug. 3. Tom lib. de Spir. et Lit. is abrogated 3. I have passed these two more briefly yet enough of them to the Question the third will challenge a longer stay to enquire what things are signified under the word Law and to apply what wee enquire for the difference of the abrogation It signifies 1. The whole Scripture The blessed mans delight is in the Law of the Lord and in that Law hee doth exercise himselfe Psal 1.2 The people understood it in this sense when they answered We have heard out of the Law that Christ abideth for ever Ioh. 12.34 So the Law is not abrogate not one Title of it failes 2. The Bookes of Moses All things must be fulfilled which were written of me in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets in the Psalms Luk. 24.44 Neither thus is the Law abrogate for the Doctrine and writings of Moses remaine 3. The paedagogy of Moses in his foure last bookes Had ye beleeved Moses yee would have beleeved me Ioh 5.46 So 't is not wholly not simply abrogate There are in it Promises Types and Commands 1. The Promises and Types doe cease because the things typified are fulfilled the things promised are received The house is built and now no more need of the Idea or exemplar 2. The Commands which were all those things whatsoever were delivered in nomine Dei in Gods name to the people These are not simply abrogate some are eternall all are called Law Of which 1. In generall 2. More specially 1. In the generall wee may take our description of Law 1. From the end It is an ordination of right reason to the common and singular good of all and singular subordinates given by him who hath the care of the whole Community and every singular in it 2. From the forme It is an Ordinance commanding what is to be done and to be omitted made by him that hath right to require obedience binding the apt creature to obey with an holy promise of reward and a threatning of punishment Both of these are either Divine from God or Humane from man as collected from Gods Law Here we speake of Divine which may be considered 1. As impressed on mens mindes by an innate speech 2. As enuntiated by speech declarative 3. As comprehended in writing Here of the last And this in generall 2. More specially the Law written is called Moses Law which is threefold as is the variety of the object 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Morall Ceremoniall Iudiciall The two latter are as Accessories to the first the Ceremonies being added to the first and the Iudgements to the second Table The
compasseth the earth 2 To them but not so freely as to us 1 They were as in their Non-age we Adulti at our fuller time 2 They though heires yet young and such differ not from servants they were under the Oeconomy of Moses but wee have an entrance on the inheritance 3 In a word They were under the Spirit of Bondage we are free I have endevoured with as much clearenesse in the method as I could yet briefly to deliver my selfe of this mystery and to set together in one view the Promise the Law and the Gospell in their true difference the true knowledge of which will helpe much unto the evennesse of our walking and the ignorance of which either too much bladders or too much despaires the soule This enough of the first use 2. We may make use of the former Doctrine for confutation 1. Against Iewes 1 Against the Iewes who would have the Ceremoniall and Iudiciall lawes in regard of the externals still to be in force We have concluded them abrogated and shall but touch at what they doe obiect 1. That God made with them a Covenant for ever Exod. 12.24 an everlasting Covenant Gen. 17.13 I answer The word ever may be taken strictly or more largely If strictly then 't is true the Internall thing the Substance Of Circumcision and the Passeover is for ever But if more largely as the word is used in Scripture chiefly in that place Exod 21.6 The bored servant shall serve his master for ever then it signifies nor eternity but a long period or duration of time so the externall thing of those lawes was to continue a long period of time 2 They object for theit judicial law that it being the best and justest forme of policy and government it ought to be retained We answer to the due glory of the wisedome of God their law giver by confessing it such as they doe plead but such to them not to us for it was Gods wisedome to fit them a just law suitable to their condition and others now to ours 3 Lastly they say Christians may use Greek laws or Roman lawes therefore the lawes of Moses Wee answer 't is a part of our liberty and we may 't is lawful for the State of England to entertaine a French a Venetian law so also a Iewish so farre as it is not Mosaicall all lawes that be of common and naturall right we may use though given by Moses because that being the internall thing is not Mosaicall II. 2. Against Antinomists and libertines Against Libertines and Antinomists altogether contrary to the Iewes they would have all their lawes in force these will have nothing but remove the Moral law quite as being of no use They say it is so wholly abâ—ogate that Christians have nothing to doe with it they say wee have a false mixture of Christ and Moses while we mingle together confusedly Law and Gospell But for the removall of this scandall wee appeale unto our Doctrine and by it will answer unto their objections Obiect 1. That which cannot be performed is needlessely and unprofitably taught Answ 'T is a fallacy of the consequent Fallacia non causae when they put that for a cause which is not We teach not the law for a full performance so to be legally righteous but by it in the aâ—cidentary use to bee brought nearer unto Christ Till the conscience bee wounded Christ will have nothing to do with the conscience Obiect 2. Christ is not a Law-giver Answ In respect of the principall office of his Mediatorship hee is not yet he gives lawes A new Command I give unto you and our Faith when it lookes rightly upon Christ beholds him both as a Savior and a Lord as we expect salvation from him so we must resolve to obey him Obiect 3. Go is Iustice requâ—res satisfaction to be made and because hee is Iust he requires satiâ—faction but once wee must either obey or submit to a suitable penalty but wee have satisfied in Christ by undergoing punishment and therfore are not bound unto obedience Answ These are resolved mistakings Doe they not know that we require obedience not satisfactory but Declarative to manifest our thankfulnesse We could not Christ hath satisfied now all â—hat wee can doe is but nothing yet henceforth wee must not live unto our selves but to him that dyed for us 2 Cor. 5.15 Obiect 4 Christians are led and ruled by the Spirit â—f God and therefore need not a Law Answ The Law indeed would bee but dead if it were not an instrumentall in the Spirits hand hee makes use of the Law and guides us by it But of this more fully hereafter against the Enthusiasts Obiect 5. The Apostle presents unto our memory our owne knowledge We know that the Law is not made for a righteous man 1 Tim. 1.9 Answ The Apostle to his instructed Timothy condemnes such as were desirous to be teachers of the Law understanding not what they said but would condemne the conscience against the Gospel and he clearely meanes the Law is not for the Coaction of a righteous man But what is the Coaction of the law The Papists say that righteous men are not coacted because they obey willingly chearefully from the instinct of charity but it coacts the unrighteous because they spurne at the law and must bee constrained to obey But this is not enough for a slave is still a slave though hee worke nay though he be willing to worke Therefore wee adde and explaine it thus The law doth not coact the Riâ—hteous because they are free from the necessity of fulfilling the law for life and salvation But it coacts the unrighteous becaus being under the law they are bound to an exact performance upon pain of damnation So we are free because they are servants and we sonnes yet not free from the direction of the law for so a sonne is not free Direction is a bare prescription of a Rule Coaction is a compulsion upon a penalty A Sonne Bern in Cant Serm. 15. A King is under Direction of Law and yet who freer Obiect 6. The Law is a killing letter The ministration of death 2 Cor. 3.6 7. Answ 'T is so to them that are unregenerate and while it remaines in its coacting and condemning force The ground of this objection is their wrong understanding of Scripture they raise it thus Say they When the Apostle preacht Christ some opposed it and argued against his Preaching saying The Law was given and wee must doe that we must bee saved as our Fathers were they were holy and lived in the Law and pleased God and so must we Hereupon say the Antinomists the Apostle began to oppose the Law and to teach them that all the Fathers who lived in the time of the Law were under the Law carnall and the sons of Agar in bondage And that all that use the law are carnall and in bondage likewise But how dangerously doe they understand
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
humbled conscience Obiection 2. Against the use of the Law If it be for transgressions then it is against the Promise 192 The Apostles answer 193 To give life the same that to Iustifie 195 The Law cannot give life proved two wayes 196 The Scriptures shut up under sinne two wayes 1 By Promises 2. By the Law 198 The extent of the word Concluded 200 The accidentary use of the Law 201 The divers acceptions of the word Faith 204 To come unto Faith and to come unto Christ of one signification 205 The knowledge of this necessary for two things 1. To know that the Fathâ—rs were not without Faith 2. How Faith is imputed to us for Righteousnesse ibid. To be kept under the Law expounded ibid. The right Divine described from Psa 147.11 209 The difference of the righteousnes which is by the law and that by faith 211 How the Iewes were directed to Christ by the Law 212 How the Law leades us diversly expounded 213 The manner of our Salvation there are two Formes or Classes one under the Law the other under the Gospell 215 Two sorts of Schollers hereby condemned ibid. Faith leads us to Christ not as to a Law giver but as to a Iustifier 216 The Question How the Law is abrogated and how usefull discussed 217 c. Some Scriptures seeming to prove the abrogating of the Law some that it is not abrogated reconciled 222 To whom the Law was given 223 The causes why the Law should be abrogated 1. That the Gentiles might bee called 2. Because it was an intolerable burthen 3. Because it was unprofitable 4. Be-it was pernicious 226 c Three things signified by the word Law 230 1. The whole Scriptures 2. the Bookes of Moses 3. the paedagogie of Moses in his foure last books 231 The Law as taken for the paedagogie of Moses is not wholly abrogated ibid Three things in the paedagogie of Moses Promises Types and commands ib. The Law taken for promises and types abrogated ib. The law taken for the commands not abrogated 232 The generall description of the law 1. from the end 232. 2. from the forme 233 Law twofold 1. Divine 2. Humane 233 The Divine Law considered three wayes 1. As impressed on mens mindes by an innate speech 2. As enuntiated by speech declarative 3. As comprehended in writing ibid. The more speciall description of the Law 234 The Law written called Moses law is three-fold Morall Ceremoniall Iudicial ibid. Two parts of the Ceremoniall and Iudiciall law Externall Internall ibid. The inward thing of the Cerâ—moniall law is Faith and Piety ibid. The inward thing of the Iudicial mutual love piety ib The Inward things in the Ceremoniall and Iudiciall law are eternall the outward only abrogated 235 The Ceremoniall law what ibid The use of the Ceremonial law three-fold ibid. 236 Abrogated by Christs comming ibid. By what degrees the Ceremoniall law was abrogated 1. in truth 2. in fact ibid. The Iudiciall Law what ibi The use of it threefold 237 The abrogation of it ibid. The iudiciall Law so far as it is typical abrogated ibid. The iudgement of the iudiciall law neither simply forbidden nor prescibed to any ibid. Such things as are of common and generall right in the Iudiciall law are still in force 238 How we may know them ib. The Morall law what 238 The Morall law how far forth abrogated 239 Love the Substance of the Morall law ibid. Six Circumstances of the Morall law 240 241 The use of the Morall law before sinne entred 242 The use of it under the state of sinne threefold ibid. The use of it under the state of grace ibid The Law the Promise and the Gospell considered as opposites 245 As Subordinates ibid. The comparison of the law and Gospell how they doe agree and differ 247. c. to 256 The comparison of the Promise and Gospell how they agree and differ 256 The Obiections of the Iewes for the continuance of the Ceremoniall and Iudiciall law answered 260 Against Antinomists and Libertines their Obiections answered 263 Against Enthusiasts their false Arguments 273 Against those that receive not the old Testament 284 Moses veile what 286 Against pure sinlesse Anabaptists 288 The Exposition of divers interpreters on those words Whosoever is borne of God sinneth not ib. Vse of Exhortation not to reiect the law 297 The estate of the law ib. Three rules to try our Works by 304 FINIS