IIII. When the natural man hears, that no man since ⟨p. 241⟩the fall, is able to fulfil the Law of God, and to keep all his Commandments: He boldly presumes to sin as others do: he contents himself with a few good thoughts: and if he be not altogether as bad as the worst, he concludes that he is as truly regenerate as the best. And every voluntary refusal of doing good, or withstanding evil, he counts the impossibility of the Law. But he should learn that though since the Fall ▪ no man but Christ, who was both God and man, did or can perfectly fulfil the whole Law. yet every true Christian, as soon as he is regenerated, begins to keep all Gods Commandments in truth, though he cannot ⟨p. 242⟩in absolute perfection. Thus with David, they gapply their hearts to fulfil Gods Commandments always unto the end. And then the hSpirit of grace which was promised to be more abundantly poured forth under the Gospel, helpeth them in their good endeavours and assisteth them to do what he commands them to do. And in so doing, GOD accepteth their igood will and endeavour, in stead of perfect fulfilling of the Law, supplying out of the merits of Christ, who fulfilled the Law for us, whatsoever wanteth in our obedience. And in this respect S. John saith, that kGods commandments are not burdenous. And S. Paul saith, lI am able to do all things ⟨p. 243⟩through the help of him that strengtheneth me. And Zachary and Elizabeth are said, mto walk• in all the Commandments of the Lord, without reproof. Hereupon CHRIST ncommends to his Disciples, the care of keeping his Commandments, as the trueest testimony of our love unto him. So far therefore doth a man love Christ, as he makes conscience to walk in his Commandments: and the more unto Christ is our love, the less will our pains seem in keeping his Law. The Laws curse which under the Old Testament was so terrible, is under the New, by the death of Christ, abolished to the regenerate. The rigour which made it so unpossible ⟨p. 244⟩to our nature before, is now to the new borne, so mollified by the Spirit, that it seems facile and easy. The Apostles indeed pressed on the unconverted Jews and Gentiles the impossibility of keeping the Law, by ability of nature corrupted. But when they have to do with regenerated Christians, they require to the Law (which is the rule of righteousness) true hobedience in word and deed:
IIII. When the naturall man heares, that no man since ⟨p. 241⟩the fall, is able to fulfill the Law of God, and to keepe all his Commandements: He boldly presumes to sinne as others doe: hee contents himselfe with a few good thoughts: and if hee be not altogether as bad as the worst, hee concludes that hee is as truely regenerate as the best. And euery voluntary refusall of doing good, or withstanding euill, he counts the impossibilitie of the Law. But he should learne that though since the Fall ▪ no man but Christ, who was both God and man, did or can perfectly fulfill the whole Law. yet euery true Christian, as soone as hee is regenerated, begins to keepe all Gods Commandements in truth, though hee cannot ⟨p. 242⟩in absolute perfection. Thus with Dauid, they gapply their hearts to fulfill Gods Commandements alwayes vnto the end. And then the hSpirit of grace vvhich was promised to be more aboundantly poured forth vnder the Gospel, helpeth them in their good endeuours and assisteth them to doe vvhat he commands them to doe. And in so doing, GOD accepteth their igood will and endeuour, in stead of perfect fulfilling of the Law, supplying out of the merits of Christ, who fulfilled the Law for vs, whatsoeuer wanteth in our obedience. And in this respect S. Iohn saith, that kGods commandements are not burdenous. And S. Paul saith, lI am able to doe all things ⟨p. 243⟩through the helpe of him that strengthneth me. And Z•chary and Elizabeth are said, mto walk• in all the Commandements of the Lord, without reproofe. Hereupon CHRIST ncommends to his Disciples, the care of keeping his Commandements, as the trueest testimonie of our loue vnto him. So farre therefore doth a man loue Christ, as he makes conscience to walk in his Commandements: and the more vnto Christ is our loue, the lesse will our paines seeme in keeping his Law. The Lawes curse which vnder the Olde Testament was so terrible, is vnder the New, by the death of Christ, abolished to the regenerate. The rigor which made it so vnpossible
- gPs. 119.112
- hJoel. 2.28.29. Zach. 12.10. Quod jubet, ivvat. Aug.Ioel. 2.28.29. Zach. 12.10. Quod iubet, iuuat. Aug.
- i2 Cor. 8.12
- k1 Joh. 5.3.1 Ioh. 5.3.
- lPhil. 4.15.
- mLuk. 1.6.
- nJoh. 15.10Ioh. 15.10
- hRom. 15.18
