Rome ruin'd by VVhite Hall, or, The papall crown demolisht

SECT. 5.

Obj. IN the next place it is requisite to consider of the perpetuity, and continuance of the Law, for in some places the Scrip∣ture saith, that Christ came to fulfill the Law, not to destroy it,* 1.1 and in other places as though the Law was abrogated, as Rom. 6. 14. Ye are not under the Law, but under grace, with Heb. 7. 12. If the Priest-hood be changed, there must of necessity be a change of the Law.

Ans. For the solution hereof this is to be added here, though* 1.2 the question be partly answered before. And first in relation to the Ceremoniall Law, which was prescribed unto the Jewes, to be observed in the Worship of God, it is wholly abrogated. 1. The body being come the shadow is to be done away. 2. These Ce∣remoniall observations were tyed to a certaine place; as 1. To the Tabernacle. 2. To the Temple of Solomon, but now the Worship of God is not tyed to a certaine place, as at Jerusalem, where the Temple was, Joh. 4. ••••. 3. Other Sacraments are in∣stituted, as Baptisme, and the Lords Supper, ergo they are to be abrogated. 4. The Ceremonies doe binde the observers, to keep the whole Law, but Christ having freed us from the bon∣dage, ergo. 5. The Ceremonies were a wall of partition, and distinction betwixt the Jewes, and the Gentiles, but now that

distinction is taken away, all being one in Christ.

2. Touching the Pollitick, and judiciall Lawes of Moses, nei∣ther doe they absolutely binde now. 1. In regard that many of them were particular to the pollicy of that Common-wealth, as the Lawes concerning their inheritances, and possessions, which were not to passe from Tribes. They also shewed the fashion, and manners of their Country, as in building their houses with slat roofes, Deut. 22, 8. of these positive constructions there is now no use amongst other Nations. 2. The condition of all people are not alike, some are more stubborne and obstinate, some more civill and tractable, and therefore some have need of more strict and severe Lawes then others; one kinde of pollitick Law, then cannot serve all Nations. 3. The Gospel which is perpetuall, prescribeth not a certaine forme of Government to all Nations, neither overthroweth their severall pollicies, but in generall commandeth obedience to higher powers, Rom. 13. 1. ergo much lesse the Law which was to be changed; but the judiciall Law is▪ not abrogated in respect of the substance, end, and universall equity, which is punishing of vice, and maintaining of peace.

3. The Morall Law is not now in force in respect of Justifica∣tion,* 1.3 Rom. 3. 28. A man is justified by faith without the workes of the Law; but it bindeth in respect of obedience, we are bound to keep all the precepts of the Law; but yet in respect of the terror of the Law, and manner of obedience (to which we was to be obe∣dient, and subject, for feare of punishment) we are freed from it; and therefore the Apostle saith, The Law is not given to a righteous man, 1 Tim. 1. 9. because they of love rather then feare doe yeeld their obedience, and so are a Law unto them∣selves. But this is a priviledge only of the regenerate; as for car∣nal, and unregenerate men, they are stil under the curse, and ter∣rour of the Law, according to that saying, Cursed is every one that contin••eth not in all things that are written in the booke of the Law to doe them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mat. 1. 17.
• * 1.2

  How the Lawes of Mo∣ses are in force and how not.
• * 1.3

  How the Mo∣rall Law is not in force.