drive them to Chrift c: or, upon their continuance in the eftate and way of fin, to leave them inexcufable d, and under the curfe thereof e. Q. 97. What special use is there of the moral law to the regenerate? A. Although they that are regenerate and believe in Chrift, be delivered from the moral law, as a covenant of works f, fo as thereby they are neither juftified g nor condemned h; yet befides the general uses thereof common to them with all men, it is of special ufc, to fhew them how much they are bound to Chrift for his fulfilling it, and enduring the curfe thereof in their stead and for their good i; and thereby to provoke them the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawlefs and difobedient, for the ungodly and finners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers, and murderers of mothers, for man-flayers. 2.10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themfelves with mankind,for men-stealers, for liars, for perjured perfons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to found doctrine. c Gal. 3. 24. Wherefore the law was our school-mafter to bring us untoChrift, that we might be juftified by faith. d Rom. 1. 20. For the invifible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly feen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; fo that they are without excufe.Compared with Rom.2.15% Which fhew the works of the law written in their hearts, their confcience alfo bearing witnefs, and their thoughts the mean while accufing,orelle excufingone another. e Gal. 3. 10. For as many as are of the works of the law, are under the curfe: for it is written,curfed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 97. f Rom. 6. 14. For fin fhall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law,but under to grace. Rom. 7. 4. Wherefore,my brethren, ye alfo are become dead to the law by the body of Chrift: that ye fhould be married to ano. ther, even to him who is raifed from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit untoGod. v.6.But now we are delivered from the law,that being dead wherein we were held: that we fhould ferve in newness of fpirit,and not in the oldness of the letter. Gal. 4.4. But when the fulnefs of the time was come, God fent forth his Son, made of a wo man, made under the law. v.5. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the a- ̧· doption of fons. g Rom. 3. 20. Therefore by the deeds of the law there fhall no flefi be juftified in his fight: for by the law is the knowledge of fin. h Gal. 5. 23. Meekness, tempe rance; against fuch there is no law, Rom.8.1.Thereisthereforenowno condemnation to them which are in Chrift Jefus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. i Rom. 7. 24. O wretched man that I am,who fhalldeliver metrom the body of this death? v. 25. I thank God, through Jefus Chrift our Lord. So then, with the mind I myself ferve the law of God; but with the flesh, the law of fin. Gal, 3.13 Chrift hath redeemed us from the curfe of the law, being made a P curfe to more thankfulness k,and to exprefs the fame in their greater care to conform themlelves there unto as the rule of their obedience 1. Q. 98. Where is the moral law fummarily comprehended? A. The Moral law is fummarily comprehended in the ten commandments, which were delivered by the voice of God upon mount Sinai, and written by him in two tables of stone m; and are recorded in the twentieth chapter of Exod : curfe for us for it is written, curfed isevery one, that hangeth on a tree: v. 14. That the bleffing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jefus Chrift; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Rom. 8. 3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through theflefh, God fending his own fon in the liknels of finful flesh, and for fin condemned fin in the flefh: v. 4. That the righteoufnefs of the law might be fulfiled in us; who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. k Luke 1.66. Bleffedbe the Lord God of Ifrael, for he hath vifited and redeemedhispeople. 69. And hath raifed up an horn of falvation for us, in the house of his fervant David. v.74. That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might ferve him withoutfear,v.25. in holinefs & righteoufnefs before him all the days of our life. Col. 1. 17. Giving thanks unto the father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the faints in light;v. 13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness,and hath tranflated usinto the kingdom of his dear Son : v. 14. In whom we have redemp. tion through his blood, even the forgiveness of fins. 1 Rom. 7.22. For I delight inthe law of God, after the inward man. Rom.12.2.And be not conformed to this world; but be'ye transformed by the renewing of your minds thatye mayprovewhatisthat good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Tit. 2. 11. For the grace of God that bringeth falvation, hath appeared to all men ; v.12. Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lufts, we should live foberly, righteously, and godly in this prefent world; v. 13. Looking for that bleffed hope, and the glo rious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jefus Chrift:v.1 Who gave himfelf for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himfelf a peculiar people, zealous of good works. .14. 98. m Deut. 10.4. And he wrote on the tables,according to the first writing the ten commandments, which the Lord fpake unto you in the mount, out of the midst of the fire, in the day of the aflembly: and the Lord gave them unto me. Exod.34.1. And the Lord faid unto Mofes, Hew thee two tables of Itone like unto the firft: and I will write upon thefe tables the words that were in the firit tables which thou brakeft. v. 2. And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning,unto mountSinai,and prefent thyfelf there to me, in the top of the mount. v. 3. And no man fhall come up with thee, &c. v. 4. And he hewed two tables of tone, like unto the first; and Mofes rose up early in the morning,& went up unto mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of tone. Mat. Exodus. The four first commandments containing our duty to God, and the other fix our duty to man n. Q. 99. What rules are to be obferved for the right underStanding of the ten commandments? A. For the right understanding of the ten commandments, thefe rules are to be observed; 1. That the law is perfect, and bindeth every one to full conformity in the whole man unto the righteou/nefs thereof, and unto entire obedience for ever; fo as to require the utmoft perfection of every duty, and to forbid the leaft degree of every fin 0. 2. That it is fpiritual, and fo reacheth the understanding, will, affections, and all other powers of the foul; as well as words, works, and geftures p. n Mat. 22. 27. Jefus faid unto him, Thou shalt love the Lordthy Ged with all thy heart, and with all thy foul and with all thy mind. v. 38. This is the firft and great commandment. v. 39. And the fecond is like unto it, Thou fhalt love thy neighbour as thy felf. v. 40. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 99. o Pfal: 19.7.The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the foul: the teftimony of the Lord is fure, making wife the fimple. Jam. 2.10. For whofoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all. Mat.s.21. to theend. v. 22. Ye have heard that it was faid by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill,and whofoever fhall kill,fhall be in danger of the judgment. v. 22. But I fay unto you, That whofoev eris angry with his brother without a caufe, fhall be in danger of the judgment: andwhofoever fhall fay to his brother Raca,fhall be in danger ofthe counfel; but whofoever fhall fay Thou fool, fhall be in danger of hellfire. v.27.Ye have heard that it was faid by them of old time, Thoufhalt not commit a adultery. v. 28. But I fay unto you, That whofoever looketh on a woman to luft after her,hath commited adul 3. That tery with her already in his heart. v. 33. Again,ye have heard that it hath been faid by them of oldtime, Thou fhalt not forfwearthyfelf,but fhall perform unto the Lord thine oaths. v. 34. But I fay unto you, Swear not at all; neither by hea ven, for it is God's throne:--v.37. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatfoever is more than these cometh of evil. v 38. Ye have heard that it hath been faid, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.v.39, But Ifay unto you, that ye refift not evil. v. 43. Ye have heard that it hath been faid, Thou shalt love thyneighbour and hatethineenemy v. 44. But I fay unto you, Lóve your enemies,bfefs them thatcurfe you, do good to them that hate you,and pray for them which defpitefully ale you, and perfecute you, &c. p Rom. 7.14. For we know that the law is fpiritual: but I am carnal,fold underfin.Deut. 6, 5:Thou fhalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy foul,andwith all thy might. Compared with Mat, 22. 37. Jefus faid unto him,Thou fhaltlove the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy foul,and with all thy mind. v. 38. This is the first and P 2 great 3. That one and the fame thing, in diverse respects, is required or forbidden in feveral commandments q. 4. That as, where a duty is commanded, the contrary fin is forbidden r; and where a fin it forbidden, the contrary duty is commanded f, fo, where a promife is annexed, the contrary threatning is included t; and where a threatning is annexed, the contrary promife is included v. great commandment. v. 39. And the fecond is like unto it, Thou fhalt love thy neighbour asthyfelf. q Col.3.5.Mortify thereforeyour members which are uponthe earth: fornication,uncleannefsinordinate affection, evil concupifcence, and covetoufnefs, which is idolatry. Amos 8. 5. Saying, when will the new-moon be gone, that we may fell corn? and the fabbath, that we may fet forth wheat, making the ephah fall, and the faekel great, and falfifying the balances by deceit? Prov. 1. 19. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain:which taketh away the life of the owners thereof. 1 Tim.6.10. For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while fome coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many forrows. rIfa. 58.13. If thou turn away thy foot from the fabbath, from doingthy pleafureon my holyday, and call the fabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord,honourable, and fhalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor fpeaking thine own words.Deut. 6.13.Thou fhalt fear the Lord thy God, and ferve him, and fhall fwear by his name. Compared with Mat.4. 9. And faith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. v. 10. Then faith jefus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,and him only fhalt thou ferve. Mat. 15.4. For God commanded, faying, Ho nour thy Father and Mother; and 5. That He that curleth Father or Mother, let him die the death. v. 5. But yefay, Whofoeverfhallfaytohis Father or his Mother, it is a gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me, v. 6. And honour not his father or his mother,he fhallbe free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 1 Mat. 5. 21, 22. (See letter v.) v. 23. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remembereft that thy brother hath ought against thee; v: 24, Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, firft be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Eph.4,28, Let him that ftole, fteal no more; but rather let him, labourworkingwith his hands thething which isgood,thathemay have to give to him that needeth. t Exod 20.12.Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy daysmay be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee,Compared with Prov.30.17. The eyethat mocketh at his father, and defpifeth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley fhall pick it out, and the young eagles fhall eat it. v Jer 18.7. At what inftant I fhalllpeak concerning anation, and concerning a kingdom,to pluckup and to pull down, and to deftroy it: v. 8. If that nation against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil,I will repent of the evil that Ithought todo unto them, Exod.20.7.Thou fhaltnot takethe name of the Lord thy God invain. for the Lord will not holdhimguiltlefs that taketh his name in vain. Com 5. That what God forbids, is at no time to be done w; what he commands, is always our duty x; and yet every particular duty is not to be done at all times y. are 6. That under no fin our duty, all of the fame kind forbidden or commanded; together withall the causes, means, occafions,andappearances thereof,andprovocationsthereuntoz. 7. That what is forbidden or commanded to ourselves, we are bound, according to our places, to endeavour that it may be avoided or performed by others, according to the duty of their places a. 8. That compared with Pfal.15.1.Lord,who fhall abide in thy tabernacle? who fhall dwell in thy holy hill? v. 4. in whofe eyes a vile perfon is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord: he that fweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. v. 5. He that putteth not out his money to ufury, nor taketh reward again't the innocent. He that doth these things fhall never be moved. And with Pfal. 24. 4.He that hath clean hands,and a pure heart; who hath not lift up his foul unto vanity, nor fworn deceitfully.v.5. He fhall receive the bleffing from the Lord, and righteoufnels from the God of his falvation. w Job 13. 7. Will ye fpeak wickedly for God? and talkdeceitfully for him? v. 8. Will ye accept his perfon? will ye contend for God? Rom.3.8. And not rather,as we be flanderously reported, and as fome affirm that we fay, Let us do evil, that good may come? whofe damnation is juft. Job 36. 21. Take heed, regard not iniquity for this haft thou chofen rather than affection. Heb. 11. 25. Choofing rather to fuffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleafures of fin for a feafon. x Deut. 4. 8. And what nation is there fo great, that hath ftatutes and judgments fo righteous, as all this law which I fet before you this day? v. 9. Only take heed to thy felf, and keep thy foul diligently, left thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and left they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy fons, and thy fons fons. y Mat. 12.7.But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not facrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. z Mat 5. 21, 22, 27, 28. (See in letter o before) Mat,15. 4. For God commanded, faying, honour thy father and mother: and, he that curfeth father or mother, let him die the the death. v. 5. But ye fay, Whofoever fhall faytohis fatheror his mother, It is a gift by whatsoever thou mighteft be profited by me, v. 6, And honour not his father or his mother, he thall be free. Thushave ye made the commandmentof God of noneeffect by your tradition. Heb. 10. 24. And let us confideroneanothertoprovokeunto love, and to good works: v. 25. Not forfaking theaffemblingof our felves together, as the manner of fomeis; but exhortingone another: and fo much the more, as ye fee the day approaching, i Thefl. s. 22, Abítain from all appearance of evi!. Jude 23. And others fave with fear, pulling them out of the fire;hating eventhe garment spotted by the flesh. Gal. 5,26. Let us not be defirous of vain-glory,provoking onc, another, envying one another. Col. 3.21. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, left they be discouraged. a Exod 20. 10. But the feventh day is the fabbath of the Lord thy P 3 God |