Now whereas Christ saith, Think not that I came to destroy the Law; by Law he meaneth principally the Moral law, and in the second place, the Ceremonial law also: Next observe the opposition that Christ maketh between the Law and the Prophets; thereby signifying unto us, that by the Law, he meaneth that part of Gods word, concerning Righteousness, and Justice, which Moses penned by Gods commandment: and by the Prophets, he meaneth that part of Gods word, which is contained in the writings of all the Prophets in the old Testament, after Moses; which books of the Prophets, contained in them either an interpretation of Moses Law, or predictions of the state of the Church in the new Testament. Again, by destroying the Law, we must not understand a breach of the Law, such as is made by mans sin; but such a dissolution, as taketh from it all virtue and power, whereby it is a Law: and so to destroy the Prophets, is to put an end unto them, so as they should nothing avail, either to the interpretation of the Law, or to the foretelling of the state of Gods Church under the Gospel.1 But to fulfil them. Christ fulfilleth the Law three ways; by his doctrine, in his person, and in men. By his doctrine he fulfilleth the Law2 two ways; both by restoring unto it his proper meaning and true use, as we shall see afterward, where he correcteth the corrupt interpretations thereof, by the Pharisees; as also, by revealing the right way, whereby the Law may be fulfilled. Secondly, in his person he fulfilleth the Law3 two ways; First, by becoming accursed to the Law, in suffering death upon the cross for us. Secondly, by performing perfect obedience unto the Law, doing all that the Law required, for the love of God, or of his neighbour; in which respect he was said, dto have been under the Law. Thirdly, Christ fulfilled the Law in men; Men be of two sorts, Elect, and Reprobates: In the Elect he fulfilleth the Law two ways; First, by creating faith in their hearts, whereby they lay hold on Christ, who for them fulfilled it: Secondly, by giving them his own spirit, which maketh them endeavour to fulfil the Law; which in Christ is accepted for perfect obedience in this life, and in the life to come is perfect indeed. In unbelievers Christ fulfilleth the Law, when he executeth the curse of the Law upon them;
Now whereas Christ saith, Thinke not that I came to destroy the Law; by Law he meaneth principally the Morall law, and in the second place, the Ceremoniall law also: Next obserue the opposition that Christ maketh betweene the Law and the Prophets; thereby signifying vnto vs, that by the Law, hee meaneth that part of Gods word, concerning Righteousnesse, and Iustice, which Moses penned by Gods commaundement: and by the Prophets, hee meaneth that part of Gods word, which is contained in the writings of all the Prophets in the old Testament, after Moses; which bookes of the Prophets, contained in them either an interpretation of Moses Lawe, or predictions of the state of the Church in the newe Testament. Againe, by destroying the Law, we must not vnderstand a breach of the Law, such as is made by mans sin; but such a dissolution, as taketh from it all vertue and power, whereby it is a Law: and so to destroy the Prophets, is to put an ende vnto them, so as they should nothing auaile, either to the interpretation of the Law, or to the foretelling of the state of Gods Church vnder the Gospel.1 But to fulfill them. Christ fulfilleth the Law three waies; by his doctrine, in his person, and in men. By his doctrine he fulfilleth the Law2 two waies; both by restoring vnto it his proper meaning and true vse, as we shall see afterward, where he correcteth the corrupt interpretations thereof, by the Pharises; as also, by reuealing the right way, wherby the Law may be fulfilled. Secondly, in his person he fulfilleth the Lawe3 two waies; First, by becomming accursed to the Lawe, in suffering death vpon the crosse for vs. Secondly, by performing perfect obedience vnto the Law, doing all that the Law required, for the loue of God, or of his neighbour; in which respect he was said, dto haue beene vnder the Law. Thirdly, Christ fulfilled the Law in men; Men bee of two sorts, Elect, and Reprobates: In the Elect he fulfilleth the Lawe two waies; First, by creating faith in their hearts, whereby they laie hold on Christ, who for them fulfilled it: Secondly, by giuing them his owne spirit, which maketh them indeauour to fulfill the Law; which in Christ is accepted for perfect obedience in this life, and in the life to come is perfect indeede. In vnbeleeuers Christ fulfilleth the Law, when he executeth the curse of the Law vpon them;
- 1Christ fulfilleth the law 3. ways.Christ fulfilleth the law 3. waies.
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- dGal. 4. 4. 3.
