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…

The third proposition,

Those that say the Law is abolished as it is foedus, but not as it is regula; say true. The Law may be considered as it is a Covenant, or as it is an absolute Rule, requiring conformity unto it: Now it may be truly granted, that the Law is abolished in the former notion, though not in the later; only in expressing this Covenant there is difference among the Learned: some make the Law a Covenant of works, and upon that ground that it is abrogated: others call it a subservient covenant to the covenant of grace, and make it only occasionally, as it were, introduced, to put more lustre and splendour upon grace: Others call it a mixed covenant of works and grace; but that is hardly to be understood as possible, much less as true. I therefore think that opinion true, as shall be hereafter showed, that the ¹Law given by Moses was a Covenant of grace; and that God did not. since man fallen, ever transact with him in any other Covenant, but that of grace: Though indeed this Covenant of grace did break out more clearly, in succession of ages, according to the wise dispensation of Gods good pleasure. So then the Law, as a Covenant, though of grace, is abrogated, because ⟨p. 214⟩though there be still the same essence of the former and later covenant, yet the administration of the former is altogether antiquated. This fully appeareth in Heb. 7. 18, 19. and again, Heb. 8. 7, 8. whosoever therefore expects life and justification by the Law, he sets up the covenant of works again. Nor is it any advantage to say, these works are the works of grace, and wrought by Christs spirit; for still if we were justified by doing whatsoever the works were, yet it would be in such a way as Adam was, though with some difference. We therefore do desire to lift up our voices, as vehemently as any Antinomian, against self Justiciaries, against pharisaical, Popish, formal men, that say unto the good works they do, These are thy Christ, These are thy Jesus, oh my soul. In matter of Justification, we would have all of Pauls Spirit, to know nothing but Christ crucified, to account all things dung and dross We desire to bewail, and abundantly to bewail the little need and want that people feel of Christ in all their duties. We are troubled, that any can be quiet in their duties, and performances; and do not cry out, None but Christ, None but Christ. All this we plead for, and preach;