The third thing to be expressed, is the manner of the writing of it; the Apostle here compares himself and all other Ministers to the pen, but it is Christ that writes the Epistle, the Epistle is his, for these works he doth in it, it is he that takes the pen, it is he that handles it, and useth it, it is he that puts ink into the pen, it is he that applies it; so that though the Minister be the immediate writer of these Laws in the heart, yet the ink is the Holy Ghost, and it comes originally from Christ; and besides, they are not left to themselves, but the LORD must concur with them immediately; we are but coeworkers with him, he holds our hands, as it were, when we write the Epistle in any mans heart, it is he that guides the pen, it is he that puts ink into it, it comes originally from him, and therefore the Epistle is his. Besides, this is further to be considered in this Metaphor, ⟨p. 79⟩that God will write his Laws in our hearts, that we may see these Laws, we may read them, and understand them: for when a thing is written, God may see it, and man may see it; a man himself may see it, and others also may read it: God sees it himself, for he hath written it: man sees it, for he is able to see the Law in his mind, he is able to see that habitual disposition that is infused into him: and others are able to see it; for, saith he, you are our Epistle, evident to all men; that is, they see the fruits and effects of it, as you may see letters graven in stone, so they see this Law written in your hearts. So, beloved, you see now what this Covenant of Grace is, and how it differs from the Covenant of Works; it is the ministration, not of the letter, but of the Spirit, because it doth not only present the outward letter of the Commandment, but there is a Law written within, and that is done by virtue of the Spirit. So that the order is this; first, it reveals righteousness; secondly, it softens the heart, it is the ministration of the Spirit; and thirdly, it is a ministration of love, it is a ministration of freedom, and not of bondage and enmity: for when the Law is thus written, a man is not haled to it, he comes not to it as a bond-slave, to do his work, but he comes willingly, he finds he hath some ability to do it, he finds a delight in it, as Paul saith, I delight in the Law of God according to the inward man.
The third thing to be expressed, is the manner of the writing of it; the Apostle here compares himselfe and all other Ministers to the pen, but it is Christ that writes the Epistle, the Epistle is his, for these workes he doth in it, it is he that takes the pen, it is he that handles it, and vseth it, it is he that puts inke into the pen, it is he that applyes it; so that though the Minister be the immediate writer of these Lawes in the heart, yet the inke is the Holy Ghost, and it comes originally from Christ; and besides, they are not left to themselues, but the LORD must concurre with them immediately; we are but coeworkers with him, he holds our hands, as it were, when we write the Epistle in any mans heart, it is hee that guides the penne, it is hee that puts inke into it, it comes originally from him, and therefore the Epistle is his. Besides, this is further to bee considered in this Metaphor, ⟨p. 79⟩that God will write his Lawes in our hearts, that we may see these Lawes, wee may reade them, and vnderstand them: for when a thing is written, God may see it, and man may see it; a man himselfe may see it, and others also may reade it: God sees it himselfe, for he hath written it: man sees it, for hee is able to see the Law in his minde, he is able to see that habituall disposition that is infused into him: and others are able to see it; for, saith he, you are our Epistle, euident to all men; that is, they see the fruits and effects of it, as you may see letters grauen in stone, so they see this Law written in your hearts. So, beloued, you see now what this Couenant of Grace is, and how it differs from the Couenant of Workes; it is the ministration, not of the letter, but of the Spirit, because it doth not onely present the o•tward letter of the Commandement, but there is a Law written within, and that is done by vertue of the Spirit. So that the order is this; first, it reueales righteousnesse; secondly, it softens the heart, it is the ministration of the Spirit; and thirdly, it is a ministration of loue, it is a ministration of freedome, and not of bondage and enmity: for when the Law is thus written, a man is not haled to it, he comes not to it as a bond-slaue, to doe his worke, but hee comes willingly, he finds he hath some ability to doe it, he findes a delight in it, as Paul saith, I delight in the Law of God according to the inward man.
