incapacity of the Subject): and that's the case in the Law's 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 with respect to the Sinner. Pray observe, the Law streng∣thens Sin and Sin weakens the Law: 1 Cor. 15.56. The strength of Sin is the Law; (viz.) as the Law gives it a killing and condem∣ning power, and as (through man's corruption) it makes Sin to be more active, impetuous and boystrous; thus Sin is strengthned by the Law: But then the weakness of the Law is Sin, for because of that it cannot now do what formerly it could.
Thus I have answered the Four Questions propounded; under which I have cleared up the Words, and also (in part) the Matter contained in them. Which being done, I might from the whole raise this Observation, That the Law, yea the Moral Law it self, though it was an excellent Law, the Law of Gods own making, and design'd by him for high and excellent ends; yet it having now to do with fallen man, with Sinners that have Flesh (a corrupt nature) in them, it is become weak and altogether unable to justifie and save.
I must not enter upon any large prosecution of this Point; yet let me speak something to it, both to fill up what I have hitherto but just touch'd upon, and also to supply what as yet I have said nothing to. There are but Two Things which I would further open:
- 1. The Special Matter of the Laws weakness.
- 2. The Grounds or Demonstrations of the Laws weakness.
For the First the Special Matter of the Laws weakness, that will be cleared up
1. With respect to Justification.
2. With respect to Salvation and Eternal Life. What the Law could not do in that it was weak: what was the thing particularly which the Law could not do? what did its weakness especially refer to? Answ. The Scripture mainly fixes it upon these Two things, it could not justifie, it could not eternally save. There are indeed many other things (some of which have been already hinted) which the Law could not do; but these two are most usually in∣stanc'd in in the Word when it speaks of or would set forth the Laws weakness.
1. The Law (upon its terms of doing and working) ever since mans Fall alwayes was, and yet is, unable to justifie: it may pos∣sibly attempt such a thing (or rather the Sinner may look for such a thing from it), but it cannot carry it on to any good issue. This (I conceive) Pauls thoughts were in special upon, when he says