A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 70. Of the Morall Law.

THe Morall Law is a generall rule for all sorts of people. It was therefore given to Adam and his posterity: yea, it was engraven in mans heart, Rom. 2. 15. It is a perfect rule of all righteousness•…•…, whereby is declared what is due to God and man.

It is an inviolable, unchangeable, and everlasting Law: of perpetuall use, never 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 be abrogated.

This is that Law which Christ came not to destroy but to fulfill. Matth. 5. 1•…•…. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is the Law which through faith we establish, Rom. 3. 31. This is that Law 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which not one jot, or one title shall passe till heaven and earth passe, Matth. 5. 18.

Yet because through mans corruption it is so far from bringing man to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (which was the primary and principal •…•…nd thereof) as it beateth him down into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 most woful and cursed estate, it is by Jesus Christ, (who is the resurrection and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iohn. 11. 25.) in sundry circumstances altered; or rather mollified.

It will be therefore requisite distinctly to declare, both wherein that alteration, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 qualification consisteth, and also wherein the morall Law stil remaineth of use 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christians.

It is mollified in these circumstances.

• 1. In regard of justification, Act. 13. 39. The Law was first given to justifie 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.2 observers thereof: but now in regard of mans corruption, that is impossible, 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 8. 3. Gal. 3. 11. God therefore now hath appointed another meanes for that end, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is, Christ and saith in him, Act. 13. 39. Rom. 3. 28.
• 2. In regard of the rigor thereof. The Law accepteth no duty, but that which is every way absolute and perfect. Thus much is implyed under this phrase, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man which doth these things, shall live by them, Rom, 10. 5. This therefore is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 doom of the Law, cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the Book of the Law, to do them, Gal. 3. 10. Yet there is a righteousnesse (though not framed according to this exact rule) which is accepted of God. This is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 righteousnesse of faith, where by laying hold on Christs righteousnesse to be •…•…∣ed, we 〈◊〉〈◊〉 our selves to have alwayes a conscience voyd of offence towards God, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 towards ma•…•…, Act. 24. 16. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not, 2 Cor. 8. 12.
• 3. In regard of an accidentall power, which the Law, through mans corruption, hath to increase sin, and to make it out of measure sinfull, Rom. 7. 13. For the •…•…∣ry forbidding of a sin by the Law maketh the corrupt heart of man more eagerly pursue it: as a stubborn childe will do a thing the more, because it is forbidden. Heathen by the light of nature discerned thus much, hereupon they had this pro∣verb, we are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prone to that which is forbidden, and desire things denyed. There is* 1.3 a secret antipathy, and contrary disposition in our corrupt nature to Gods pure Law. But by the Spirit of Christ that antipathy is taken away, and another dispo∣sition wrought in true believers: namely, a true desire, and faithfull endevour to a∣voyd what the Law forbiddeth: and to do that which it requireth. In this respect saith the Apostle, I delight in the Law of God concerning the inward man, Rom. 7. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• 4. In regard of the curse of the Law. For the Law peremptorily denounceth a curse against every transgressor and transgression, Deut. 27. 26. Gal. 3. 10. The Law admits no surety, nor accepts any repentance.

Thus, all men having sinned come short of the glory of God, Rom. 3. 23. Yet this curse doth not light on all: for Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us, Gal. 3. 13. In this respect, there is no condemnation 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that are in Christ Iesus, Rom. 8. 1.

Though the morall Law be altered in the forementioned respects, yet still it re∣maines* 1.4 to be of use for instruction and direction.

• 1. For instruction, it demonstrateth these points following.
  • 1. What God himself is, Exod. 20. 2.
  • 2. What his holy will is, Psalm. 40. 8.
  • 3. What our duty is to God and man, Matth. 22▪ 37, 38, 39.
  • 4. What sin is, 1 Iohn 3. 4. Rom. 3. 20.
  • 5. What are the kinds of sin, Iam. 2. 11. Rom. 7. 7.
  • 6. What the pravity of our nature is, Rom. 7. 14.
  • 7. What the sinfulnesse of our lives is, Rom. 7. 19.
  • 8. Gods approbation of obedience, Exod. 20. 6, 12.
  • 9. Gods detestation of transgressors, Exod. 20. 5, 7.
  • 10. The fearfull doome of sinners, Gal. 3. 10.
  • ...

• ...
  • 11. Mans disability to keep the Law, Rom. 8. 3.
  • 12. The necessity of another meanes of salvation, Rom. 3. 20, 21.* 1.5
• 2. For direction. The Law is of use to these points following.
  • 1. To convince men of sin.
  • 2. To humble them for the same.
  • 3. To work an hatred of sin.
  • 4. To restrain them from it.
  • 5. To work self-deniall.
  • 6. To drive m•…•…n to Christ.
  • 7. To p•…•…t them on to endevour after as neer a conformity to the Law as they can.
  • 8. To make them fearfull of pulling upon their soules a more fearfull doom then the curse of the Law: which is by despising the Gospell.
  • 9. To make impenitents the more inexcusable.
  • 10. To make believers more thankfull for Christs active and passive obedience: •…•…hereby as a sur•…•…ty he hath done fo•…•… them what they could not: and endured that curse which they deserved, to free th•…•…m from the same.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The morall Law is un∣changeable.
• * 1.2

  Wherein the morall Law mollified.
• * 1.3

  Nitimur inveti∣•…•…um sempe•…•…, cupimusque negata.
• * 1.4

  In what the Law instruct∣eth us.
• * 1.5

  Wherein the the Law di∣rects.