§. 12. Of the stedfastness of the severall kindes of Gods Law.
SOme object the abrogation of the Law, which is said to be delivered by Angels, against the stedfastness thereof.
For a fuller Answer hereunto, I will endeavour to shew in what respect the se∣veral kindes of Gods Law may be said to be stedfast, notwithstanding any abroga∣tion of any of them.
Gods Law is distinguished into three kinds; Iudiciall, Ceremoniall and Morall.
- 1 The Iudiciall Law was steadfast so long as the Polity to which the Lord gave it continued.
- 2 The Ceremoniall Law was steadfast till it was fully accomplished in the truth and substance thereof: and in that accomplishment it remains everlastingly steadfast.
- 3 The Morall Law, which is here taken to be especially intended, was ever, and ever shall be a steadfast and inviolable Law. It endureth for ever, Psal 19. 9. This is it of which Christ thus saith, It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, then one title of the Law to fail, Luke 16 17.* 1.1
Indeed Christ hath purchased for such as believe in him, a freedom from the Law, in regard of sundry circumstances: Such as these:
- 1 In regard of an end for which it was at first instituted: namely to justifie such as should in themselves perfectly fulfill it. The end is thus expressed, The man which doth those things shall live by them, Rom. 10. 5. The man namely he himself in his own person: not by another, nor a Surety for him. Which doth, namely per∣fectly without failing in any particular. Those things, namely all the things in their substance and circumstances, that are comprised in the Law. Our freedom from the Law is thus expressed, We have beleeved in Iesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law, Gal. 2. 16.
- 2 In regard of the penalty of the Law, which is a curse for every transgression: according to this tenour thereof, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them, Gal. 3. 10. Our freedom from this curse is thus set down, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us, Gal. 3. 13. And thus, There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus, Rom. 8. 1.
- 3 In regard of the rigor of the Law, which accepts no endeavours without abso∣lute perfection. The tenour of the curse imports as much: for it pronounceth every one cursed that continueth not in all things, Gal. 3. 10. Our freedom from this rigour is thus exemplified, If there be first a willing minde, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not, 2 Cor. 8. 12.
- 4 In regard of an aggravating power which the Law hath over a naturall man. For a naturall man committeth sin, even because the Law forbids it: and in despite of the Law: and thus the Law makes sinne exceeding sinfull, Rom. 7. 13. From this we are freed by the grace of Regeneration, whereby we are brought to delight in the Law of God, after the inward man: and with the minde to serve the Law of God▪ Rom. 7. 22, 25. But notwithstanding our freedom from the moral Law in such cir∣cumstances as have been mentioned, that Law remaineth most steadfast and in∣violable in the substance of it; which is an exact form and declaration of that which is good and evil, just and unjust, meet and unmeet: and of what is due to God or man: and of what is a sinne against the one, and a wrong unto the other.
Herein lieth a main difference betwixt this Divine Law, and all humane Laws.