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Obi. AS amongst men, the Law-giver may dispence with his Law, so God that gave the Morall Law, is therefore above the Law, and may dispence with it. And if God may dispence, then the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Church may certainly dispence, because they are in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••ead.
Ans. 1. As to that concerning humane Lawes, which tend to* 1.1 the common good, the preservation of the Publique State, the maintenance of peace and justice, the Law-givers cannot so dis∣pence as to over-throw the end of those Lawes, (as it shall be lawfull to disturbe the publique State, or the like;) for this were to evert the very scope and end of the Law. But yet in particular cases they may dispence, as that where an order is that every one shall watch, which is intended for the good of a City, yet some may be dispenced withall, and exempted from watching, who may more necessarily be imployed for the common good; for here, al∣though the letter of the Law be not precisely kept, yet the inten∣tion of the Law-makers is observed, which is to seeke, and pro∣cure the common good. So likewise universally, the Lord neither will, nor can dispence against his Law, as to make it lawfull to have other gods, to take Gods name in vaine, and the like; for this were for God to deny himself to be just, 2 Tim. 2. 13. and to make it lawfull in generall to violate the precepts of the first and second Table, were to deny his owne Justice, and so consequently to deny himself, for God is most true, yea Justice it self, and the Law is a perfect rule of justice, yet in the particular determina∣tions* 1.2 of the Law, the Lord doth dispence; as with Abraham sa∣crificing of his Son, Gen. 2. 2. the Israelites in robbing of the Aegyptians, the fornication of Hosea the Prophet, Hosea 1. 2.
For the Will of God which is most just, and the right (which he hath in the lives, bodies, and goods of men) maketh these things lawfull, (being done by the Commandement of God) which other∣wise would be unlawfull; for a man may use his Oxe, or his Asse at his pleasure (because they are ordained for his use) so likewise may the Lord doe with men, take away their lives at his pleasure, and that by a double right; both because man by his sin hath deserved to dye. 2. As he is his Creator, and may use the creature at his pleasure, or as may best serve to his glory. And as man may use his owne goods, and that which is lent unto him precario, freely and frankly, during the pleasure of the lender: (which when he will he may require againe) so the earth being the Lords, and the fulnesse thereof, which he (as it were) lend∣••th to man so long as it pleaseth him. He may justly at his plea∣sure, transfer things from one to another, and like as Matrimony
maketh carnall copulation lawfull, so the Lord may by his Com∣mandement bring, and supply the like bond as Matrimony is, as in the instance of the Prophet afore mentioned, when the Lord bid him take unto him a Wife of fornication, the Commandement of God made that lawfull, which otherwise was unlawfull, and so in the other examples.
But albeit, God can make that which seemes unjust to be law∣full and just, yet can he not make a just, and a good act, to be evill and wicked, as that he which worshippeth God aright doth evill, or such like; and the reason is, because God by this meanes, should be contrary to himself, in commanding one so to worship him, and yet counting him for so worshipping him to doe evill. A∣gain, it is impossible for God to doe that which he cannot will; now the Lord willeth no evill to be done, therefore he cannot make that which is good to be evill, because he cannot deny himself, who is only good.
The Law▪giver cannot dis∣pence in hu∣man Lawes as to over▪ throw them.
Exod. 3. 22. & 22. 35, 36.