1. The Law of Nature, which is the Rule of Mans Duty, will be the Rule of Judgment: for without the Law there is no Transgression; and consequently a Person is unaccountable for his Actions. This Law is composed of such Rules as are most becoming the wise and gracious Creator to give, and the reasonable Creature to receive and obey: for they entirely agree and concenter in his Glory and the Good of his Subjects. The Apostle adorns the Law with the most excellent Elogy, 'tis Holy, Just, and Good. Holy, 1as it enjoins all Acts of Piety to God: the adoration of his Majesty resulting from his inexpressible Divine Perfections, the imitation of his Purity, a reliance on his Goodness, a resignation to his most wise Providence, and a dutiful obedience to his Will. Such a sense of our dependence and subjection to God, is the proper Character ⟨p. 164⟩of the reasonable Creature, as dignified above inanimate and mere sensitive Beings. The Law is just, as it directs us how to demean our selves in our various Relations. Justice is the Cement of Societies, without which they disband and fall into Confusion. And the Sum of the Law is virtually comprised in one Rule, to do to others as we would they should do to us, than which nothing is more equal. 'Tis good to Man that keeps it, commanding nothing but what is influential upon his Well-being here and for ever. It does not infringe his true Freedom, but allows him unstained Delights, and enjoins what is proper to advance and secure his Dignity, Felicity and Perfection. It forbids every thing that defiles and debases him, and causes a degeneration from his native Excellency. If we prescind in our thoughts the sacred Authority of the Law-giver, all the Precepts of the Law for their moral Goodness, deserve our esteem and choice, and entire observation. The sanctified Mind approves them universally.2 I esteem all thy Precepts concerning all things to be right, saith holy David. Nay, in the Wicked there is an ⟨p. 165⟩intellectual assent to the Goodness of the Law, though the corrupt Will doth not embrace it: there are some Inclinations and Wishes to obey it, but controlled by vicious Desires. 'Tis said of the convinced Sinner, Thou knowest his Will, 3and approvest the things that are more excellent.
1. The Law of Nature, which is the Rule of Mans Duty, will be the Rule of Judgment: for without the Law there is no Transgression; and consequently a Person is unaccountable for his Actions. This Law is composed of such Rules as are most becoming the wise and gracious Creator to give, and the reasonable Creature to receive and obey: for they entirely agree and concenter in his Glory and the Good of his Subjects. The Apostle adorns the Law with the most excellent Elogy, 'tis Holy, Just, and Good. Holy, 1as it enjoins all Acts of Piety to God: the adoration of his Majesty resulting from his inexpressible Divine Perfections, the imitation of his Purity, a reliance on his Goodness, a resignation to his most wise Providence, and a dutiful obedience to his Will. Such a sense of our dependance and subjection to God, is the proper Character ⟨p. 164⟩of the reasonable Creature, as dignified above inanimate and mere sensitive Beings. The Law is just, as it directs us how to demean our selves in our various Relations. Justice is the Cement of Societies, without which they disband and fall into Confusion. And the Sum of the Law is virtually comprized in one Rule, to do to others as we would they should do to us, than which nothing is more equal. 'Tis good to Man that keeps it, commanding nothing but what is influential upon his Well-being here and for ever. It does not infringe his true Freedom, but allows him unstain'd Delights, and enjoins what is proper to advance and secure his Dignity, Felicity and Perfection. It forbids every thing that defiles and debases him, and causes a degeneration from his native Excellency. If we prescind in our thoughts the sacred Authority of the Law-giver, all the Precepts of the Law for their moral Goodness, deserve our esteem and choice, and entire observation. The sanctified Mind approves them universally.2 I esteem all thy Precepts concerning all things to be right, saith holy David. Nay, in the Wicked there is an ⟨p. 165⟩intellectual assent to the Goodness of the Law, though the corrupt Will doth not embrace it: there are some Inclinations and Wishes to obey it, but controul'd by vicious Desires. 'Tis said of the convinced Sinner, Thou knowest his Will, 3and approvest the things that are more excellent.
- 1Rom. 7.17.
- 2Psal. 119.128.
- 3Rom. 2.18.
