For this is the covenant, Vers. 10 &c.] There are two principal articles in this covenant. The first is touching the free remission of sins: the second of the inward reformation of the hearts: there is a third, but that depends upon the second: & that is the illumination of the mind with the knowledge of God. Now there are here many things worthy our observation. §1The first is, that God calls us to him in vain, whilst he only speaketh unto us by the voice of man. We must not deny, but that which he teacheth is right and just: but yet he speaks but to deaf ears; yea and albeit it may seem that we understand somewhat, yet is it only an outward sound that beats the air: for the heart still remains full of rebellion and frowardness, casting off the yoke of wholesome doctrine. In a word, Gods word never entereth into the secret of the hearts, being of themselves more hard than iron or stones, till he by his his Spirit do soften them: not only that, but the case is yet far otherwise, ⟨p. 169⟩for we have a contrary law, engraven within them, 1in such wise that multitudes of froward and wicked affections do reign therein, which do daily provoke us to rebellion. In vain it is then that God doth publish his law unto us by the voice of man, if withal he do not write it in our hearts by his holy Spirit: that is, unless he frame us and turn us to his obedience. Now by this it appears what free will is, and what uprightness there is in our nature, before God have regenerated us. I grant that we both will, and choose, and that freely, without constraint: 2but our will is carried away even with a furious violence to resist God, and is not able in any thing to subject it self to his righteousness. This is the cause why the law brings nothing but destruction and death with it, whilst it remains written in tables of stone: as S. Paul teacheth, 2. Cor. 3.3. To be short; then do we receive that which God commands with obedient hearts, when he changeth and corrects the natural perversity of them by the work of his Spirit: otherwise he shall find in us nothing but corrupt affections, and a heart wholly inclined to evil. For this sentence of God is clear and evident, that a new covenant must be made, by which God engraves his laws in our hearts, because otherwise it shall be altogether fruitless and unprofitable unto us.
For this is the couenant, Vers. 10 &c.] There are two principall articles in this couenant. The first is touching the free remission of sinnes: the second of the inward reformation of the hearts: there is a third, but that depends vpon the second: & that is the illumination of the minde with the knoweledge of God. Now there are here many things worthy our obseruation. §1The first is, that God calles vs to him in vaine, whilest he onely speaketh vnto vs by the voice of man. We must not denie, but that which he teacheth is right and iust: but yet he speakes but to deafe eares; yea and albeit it may seeme that we vnderstand somewhat, yet is it onely an outward sound that beates the aire: for the heart still remaines full of rebellion and frowardnesse, casting off the yoke of wholesome doctrine. In a word, Gods word neuer entreth into the secret of the hearts, beeing of themselues more hard than iron or stones, till he by his his Spirit doe soften them: not onely that, but the case is yet farre otherwise, ⟨p. 169⟩for we haue a contrarie law, ingrauen within them, 1in such wise that multitudes of froward and wicked affections doe raigne therein, which doe daiely prouoke vs to rebellion. In vaine it is then that God doth publish his law vnto vs by the voice of man, if withall he doe not write it in our hearts by his holy Spirit: that is, vnlesse he frame vs and turne vs to his obedience. Now by this it appeares what free will is, and what vprightnesse there is in our nature, before God haue regenerated vs. I graunt that we both will, and choose, and that freely, without constraint: 2but our will is carried away euen with a furious violence to resist God, and is not able in any thing to subiect it selfe to his righteousnesse. This is the cause why the law brings nothing but destruction and death with it, whilest it remaines written in tables of stone: as S. Paul teacheth, 2. Cor. 3.3. To be short; then doe we receiue that which God commands with obedient hearts, when he changeth and corrects the naturall peruersitie of them by the worke of his Spirit: otherwise he shall finde in vs nothing but corrupt affections, and a heart wholy inclined to euill. For this sentence of God is cleare and euident, that a new couenant must be made, by which God ingraues his lawes in our hearts, because otherwise it shall be altogether fruitlesse and vnprofitable vnto vs.
- 1Gods word never takes place in our hearts, till he hath softened them by his spirit.Gods word neuer takes place in our hearts, till he hath softened them by his spirit.
- 2Freewill.Freevvill.
