Vindiciae legis, or, A vindication of the moral law and the covenants, from the…Vindiciae legis, or, A vindication of the morall law and the covenants, from the…

9. Men may naturally perform the outward act of a commandment. Now though we be thus corrupt, yet for all that, men ⟨p. 92⟩by nature may do that outward act which is commanded by God, or abstain from the matter prohibited. Thus Alexander abstained from the Virgins he took captives, which is so much related in stories, and many other famous instances of the Heathens, though some indeed think they had a special help and aide from God to do that: but here the Apostle in the Text is clear, They do by nature the things of the law. Some do not like that distinction, They may do the substance of the work, but not the manner of a good work, because they think the substance doth comprehend that indeed which makes a good work; howsoever, they agree that the external act may be done. Thus Ahab he externally humbled himself, and some think that Uriah, which Isaiah calls, The faithful witness he took to him, to be the same with him that brought in the Altar of Damascus: so that, though he was an idolater, and an ungodly man, yet he was reputed a faithful man in his word. And certainly this is something, to make many men inexcusable. They may forbear those acts of gross impiety which they do, supposing they have not customarily, or by the just judgement of God thrown themselves into the power of such sins; not that this will help to save them, only their punishment will be less. Thus Fabricius and Camillus (saith Austin) will be less punished then Verres or Catiline, not because these were holy, but because they were less wicked, & minora vitia virtutes vocamus. I know it's a question, Whether a godly man can do more good then he doth, or less evil then he doth: but this may be handled in the controversial part; we speak now of a wicked man, who can do no good at all, unless in the external act.

9. Men may naturally performe the outward act of a commandement. Now though we be thus corrupt, yet for all that, men ⟨p. 92⟩by nature may doe that outward act which is commanded by God, or abstaine from the matter prohibited. Thus Alexander abstained from the Virgins hee took captives, which is so much related in stories, and many other famous instances of the Heathens, though some indeed think they had a speciall helpe and aide from God to doe that: but here the Apostle in the Text is cleare, They doe by nature the things of the law. Some doe not like that dictinction, They may doe the substance of the work, but not the manner of a good worke, because they think the substance doth comprehend that indeed which makes a good work; howsoever, they agree that the externall act may be done. Thus Ahab hee externally humbled himselfe, and some think that Uriah, which Esay calls, The faithfull witnesse he took to him, to be the same with him that brought in the Altar of Damascus: so that, though he was an idolater, and an ungodly man, yet hee was reputed a faithfull man in his word. And certainly this is something, to make many men inexcusable. They may forbeare those acts of grosse impiety which they doe, supposing they have not customarily, or by the just judgement of God throwne themselves into the power of such sins; not that this will helpe to save them, onely their punishment will be lesse. Thus Fabricius and Camillus (saith Austin) will be lesse punished then Verres or Cataline, not because these were holy, but because they were lesse wicked, & minora vitia virtutes vocamus. I know it's a question, Whether a godly man can doe more good then he doth, or lesse evill then he doth: but this may be handled in the controversall part; we speak now of a wicked man, who can doe no good at all, unlesse in the externall act.