An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches

§. 17. It is this operous Law of Moses which Paul meaneth usually by the [Law of Works, and the old or former Covenant] and neither the Law or Covenant of Innocency made to Adam, nor yet as if this Law of Moses were of the same Tenor or Conditions, and so called a Covenant of Works, as making Innocency its Condition: But this Law ⟨p. 137⟩which was an Appendix to the Law of Grace, and was a peculiar Law of Grace it self, is called, The Law of Works, because of the great and burdensome and costly Externals before mentioned, and because as a political Law it so much insisteth comparatively on those Externals, and the Doctrine of Grace is comparatively more obscure in it than in the Gospel; and because the Jews had by their abusive Interpretation overvalued the Externals and operous Ceremonies and Sacrifices of it.

§. 18. The mistake of Paul's meaning in this Phrase [the Law of Works, or old Covenant] hath led some men to a new frame of Theology in a great part, and engaged others in Errors, and fruitless Contentions.

§. 19. By the words [He that doth these things shall live by them] as distinguished from believing, Paul meant not that the Condition of the Jewish Covenant of Peculiarity or Law, was the same perfect Innocency as was required in the first Law of Adam; for when Man was actually guilty, it was impossible that he should ever become one that had not sinned: And we must not put such a scorn on the infinitely wise and righteous Governor of the World, as to suppose him to have such a Law or Covenant as this [If you that are sinners are not sinners you shall be saved], much less to make this a Covenant of peculiar favour.

§. 19. By the words [He that doth these things shall live by them] as distinguished from believing, Paul meant not that the Condition of the Jewish Covenant of Peculiarity or Law, was the same perfect Innocency as was required in the first Law of Adam; for when Man was actually guilty, it was impossible that he should ever become one that had not sinned: And we must not put such a scorn on the infinitely wise and righteous Governour of the World, as to suppose him to have such a Law or Covenant as this [If you that are sinners are not sinners you shall be saved], much less to make this a Covenant of peculiar favour.