The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural…

That the inward axioms as known are not Laws, is evident, 1. Because a Law is in genere objectivo, and this is in genere actionum: A Law is in genere signorum; but this is the discerning of the sign: A Law is the will of the Rector signified: this is his will known: A Law is Obligatory: this is the perception of an Obligation. A Law maketh duty: but this is the knowledge of a duty made. 2. The Law is not in our power to change or abrogate: But a mans inward dispositions and perceptions are much in his power, to increase or diminish, or obliterate: Every man that is wilfully sensual and wicked, may do much to blot out the Law of Nature, which is said to be written on his heart; But wickedness cannot alter or obliterare the Law of God: If this were Gods Law which is upon the heart, when a sinner hath blotted it out, he is disobliged from duty and punishment: For where there is no Law, there is no duty or transgression. But no sinner can so disoblige himself by altering his Makers Laws: 3. Else there would be as many Laws of Nature, not only as there are men, but as there are diversity of perceptions: But Gods Law is not so uncertain and multiform a thing. 4. And if Mans disposition or actual knowledge be Gods Law, it may be also called Mans Law: And so the Kings Law, should be the Subjects perception of it.

That the inward axiomes as known are not Laws, is evident, 1. Because a Law is in genere objectivo, and this is in genere actionum: A Law is in genere signorum; but this is the discerning of the sign: A Law is the will of the Rector signified: this is his will known: A Law is Obligatory: this is the perception of an Obligation. A Law maketh duty: but this is the knowledge of a duty made. 2. The Law is not in our power to change or abrogate: But a mans inward dispositions and perceptions are much in his power, to encrease or diminish, or obliterate: Every man that is wilfully sensual and wicked, may do much to blot out the Law of Nature, which is said to be written on his heart; But wickedness cannot alter or obliterare the Law of God: If this were Gods Law which is upon the heart, when a sinner hath blotted it out, he is disobliged from duty and punishment: For where there is no Law, there is no duty or transgression. But no sinner can so disoblige himself by altering his Makers Laws: 3. Else there would be as many Laws of Nature, not only as there are men, but as there are diversity of perceptions: But Gods Law is not so uncertain and multiform a thing. 4. And if Mans disposition or actual knowledge be Gods Law, it may be also called Mans Law: And so the Kings Law, should be the Subjects perception of it.