You see now a Preachers errand: it is not a new invention, but an ancient Record enrolled in the memory. As Saint Jude speaks. Verse 3. Of the Faith which was once delivered to the Saints. Once, not so much Ratione temporis, at one •eason: as Ratione perfectionis, in respect of the perfection: so given once, that it •eeds never be given again. We invent no novelties, but remember you of that which was delivered to us. That good thing which was committed unto thee, keep. 1Quod tibi creditum, non quod à te inventum: quod accepisti, non quod excogitasti: cu•us autor non esse debes, sed custos; That which was entrusted to thee, not invented by •hee: which thou hast received, not conceived: whereof thou art not a founder, but a keeper. Yea, CHRIST himself added no new precepts to the Law,2 but revived and explained the old. Therefore he used to say, It is written; and that writ•en Law he expounded. But it is objected. John 13.34. Novum mandatum; A •ew Commandment give I unto you. This was not Novum, sed novatum; not new in •t self, but rather renewed: there being the addition of a new Spirit, that helps our infirmities. For, 1 John 2.7. I write no new Commandment unto you, but an old Commandment which you had from the beginning. But the preaching of faith is cal•ed Nova Justitia, a new Righteousness. I answer, It is not a contrary Righteousness to that the Law required, but a different conveyance of Righteousness. Both require a Righteousness; the Law an inherent, the Gospel an imputed Righteousness. The Decalogue, without contradiction, is still that Magna Charta; to which as their common Principle all doctrinal conclusions are reducible. Eccles. 12.13. The conclusion of the whole matter, is, Fear GOD, and keep his Commandments; for therein is the whole duty of man. In Arithmetic, when we once pass •he number of ten, the latter numbers, though multiplied to millions of millions, •re but compounded resumptions and repetitions of the former. When the works of GOD were crowned with their Makers approbation; Behold, it is very good: •ll the inventions of men were but surveys and discoveries, all actions but imitations; Nil novi sub sole; There is no new thing under the Sun. Eccles. 1.9. The thing •hat hath been, it is that which shall be. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, •his is new?
You see now a Preachers errand: it is not a new invention, but an ancient Record enrolled in the memory. As Saint Iude speakes. Verse 3. Of the Faith which was once delivered to the Saints. Once, not so much Ratione temporis, at one •eason: as Ratione perfectionis, in respect of the perfection: so given once, that it •eeds never be given againe. We invent no novelties, but remember you of that which was delivered to us. That good thing which was committed unto thee, keepe. 1Quod tibi creditum, non quod à te inventum: quod accepisti, non quod excogitasti: cu•us autor non esse debes, sed custos; That which was intrusted to thee, not invented by •hee: which thou hast received, not conceived: whereof thou art not a founder, but a keeper. Yea, CHRIST himselfe added no new precepts to the Law,2 but revived and explained the old. Therefore he used to say, It is written; and that writ•en Law he expounded. But it is objected. Iohn 13.34. Novum mandatum; A •ew Commandement give I unto you. This was not Nouum, sed novatum; not new in •t selfe, but rather renewed: there being the addition of a new Spirit, that helpes our infirmities. For, 1 Iohn 2.7. I write no new Commandement unto you, but an old Commandement which you had from the beginning. But the preaching of faith is cal•ed Nova Iustitia, a new Righteousnesse. I answer, It is not a contrary Righteousnesse to that the Law required, but a different conveyance of Righteousnesse. Both •equire a Righteousnesse; the Law an inherent, the Gospell an imputed Righteousnesse. The Decalogue, without contradiction, is still that Magna Charta; to which as their common Principle all doctrinall conclusions are reducible. Eccles. 12.13. The conclusion of the whole matter, is, Feare GOD, and keepe his Commandements; for therein is the whole dutie of man. In Arithmeticke, when we once passe •he number of ten, the latter numbers, though multiplied to millions of millions, re but compounded resumptions and repetitions of the former. When the workes of GOD were crowned with their Makers approbation; Behold, it is very good: ll the inventions of men were but surveyes and discoveries, all actions but imitaions; Nil novi sub sole; There is no new thing under the Sunne.
- 12 Tim. 1.14.
- 2Lyrinens.
