Observat. There is a law of Nature written in mens hearts. And if this be not abolished, but that a believer is bound to follow the direction and obligation of it, how can the Antinomian think that the Moral Law, in respect of the mandatory power of it, ceaseth? Now, because I intend a methodical Tractate of the several kinds of Gods Law, you might expect I should say much about Laws in general; but because many have written large Volumes, especially the School-men, and it cannot be denied but that good rational matter is delivered by them; yet, because it would not be so pertinent to my scope, I forbear. I will not therefore examine the Etymology of the words that signify a Law; whether Lex in the Latin come of legendo because it was written to be read (though that be not always necessary;) or of ligando, because a law binds to obedience; or of deligendo, because it selects some precepts: nor concerning [Greek or Hebrew] in the Greek, whether it come of [Greek or Hebrew], which is improbable; or of [Greek or Hebrew], because it distributes to every one that which is right: neither the Hebrew word [Greek or Hebrew], which some make to ⟨p. 61⟩come of [Greek or Hebrew], to instruct and teach; others of the word [Greek or Hebrew], that signifieth a disposition, or compiling of things together as laws use to be. In the next place, I will not trouble you with the definition of a law, whether it be an act, or habit, or the soul it self: only this is good to take notice of, against a fundamental error of the Antinomian, about a law in general; for they conceive it impossible but that the damning act of a law must be where the commanding act of a law is, and this is frequently urged (as I showed the last time:) Therefore observe, that there are only two things go to the essence of a law, (I speak not of external causes) and that is, first, Direction, secondly, Obligation: 1. Direction, therefore a law is a rule; hence the law of God is compared to a light. And, Prov. 20. 27. there is a notable expression of the law of Nature, It's a candle of the Lord, searching the inwards of the belly. So it is observed, that the Chaldee word for a law, is as much as light. The second essential constitute of a law is, Obligation, for therein lieth the essence of a sin, that it breaketh this law, which supposeth the obligatory force of it.
Observat. There is a law of Nature written in mens hearts. And if this be not abolished, but that a beleever is bound to follow the direction and obligation of it, how can the Antinomian think that the Morall Law, in respect of the mandatory power of it, ceaseth? Now, because I intend a methodicall Tractate of the severall kindes of Gods Law, you might expect I should say much about Lawes in generall; but because many have written large Volumes, especially the School-men, and it cannot be denyed but that good rationall matter is delivered by them; yet, because it would not be so pertinent to my scope, I forbeare. I will not therefore examine the Etymology of the words that signifie a Law; whether Lex in the Latine come of legendo because it was written to be read (though that be not alwaies necessary;) or of ligando, because a law binds to obedience; or of deligendo, because it selects some precepts: nor concerning 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 in the Greek, whether it come of 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, which is improbable; or of 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, because it distributes to every one that which is right: neither the Hebrew word 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, which some make to ⟨p. 61⟩come of 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, to instruct and teach; others of the word 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, that signifieth a disposition, or compiling of things together as lawes use to be. In the next place, I will not trouble you with the definition of a law, whether it be an act, or habit, or the soul it selfe: onely this is good to take notice of, against a fundamentall errour of the Antinomian, about a law in generall; for they conceive it impossible but that the damning act of a law must be where the commanding act of a law is, and this is frequently urged (as I shewed the last time:) Therefore observe, that there are only two things goe to the essence of a law, (I speak not of externall causes) and that is, first, Direction, secondly, Obligation: 1. Direction, therefore a law is a rule; hence the law of God is compared to a light. And, Prov. 20. 27. there is a notable expression of the law of Nature, It's a candle of the Lord, searching the inwards of the belly. So it is observed, that the Chaldee word for a law, is as much as light. The second essentiall constitute of a law is, Obligation, for therein lyeth the essence of a sinne, that it breaketh this law, which supposeth the obligatory force of it.
