The question about the Law, whether a man be justified by it, or by free grace in Christ, this is not one of those foolish questions and needless strivings, this is a great question, this we are to contend for, our life is in it, but there are other questions about the Law, which cause striving rather then edifying, as whether the Law be a rule for our lives, as it was given by Moses; That we are bound to do what is required in the Law, this is generally acknowledged, as to love God, not worship Images, &c. but whether we be bound to do it as it was the Law delivered by Moses upon Mount Sinai, this question troubles many mens heads; that we are bound to do the same things as they are delivered by Christ in the hand of that Mediator, is acknowledged by any that understand themselves in any measure. Now then let these two things be granted about the Law; First, that we are not justified by it, but by the free grace of God in Christ: Secondly, that what duties of holiness ⟨p. 151⟩are set down in the Law, we are bound to them by the most strong obligations: what need we contend further about the Law? Let us be established in these two, and it will be sufficient for our edifying; It is like when Paul wrote this Epistle to Titus, the heads of the people were troubled about some such kind of questions about the Law, as are amongst us; therefore says he, Avoid foolish questions, and strivings about the Law. But now the questions about the Law are driven on to such a dangerous issue, that we have cause not only to be careful to avoid them, but even to tremble at the thought of them. It is now accounted a legal thing against the grace of the Gospel to confess sin, to be humbled for sin, to make conscience of duty, or to be troubled in conscience for neglect of it; No, they thank God they are delivered from such things, in respect of God, whether they sin or not it is all one: yea these things prevail with those who have been forward in profession of Religion, who seemed to walk strictly, now are grown loose. That saith is easily wrought, which teacheth men to believe well of themselves, though their lives be ill. There is a mighty change in mens spirits now from that which was heretofore; Times have been when any opinion that tended to looseness, was presently distasted as unfavoury, and rejected by such, who made profession of Religion.
The question about the Law, whether a man be justified by it, or by free grace in Christ, this is not one of those foolish questions and needlesse strivings, this is a great question, this we are to contend for, our life is in it, but there are other questions about the Law, which cause striving rather then edifying, as whether the Law be a rule for our lives, as it was given by Moses; That we are bound to doe what is required in the Law, this is generally acknowledged, as to love God, not worship Images, &c. but whether we be bound to doe it as it was the Law delivered by Moses upon Mount Sina, this question troubles many mens heads; that we are bound to doe the same things as they are delivered by Christ in the hand of that Mediator, is acknowledged by any that understand themselves in any measure. Now then let these two things be granted about the Law; First, that we are not justified by it, but by the free grace of God in Christ: Secondly, that what duties of holiness ⟨p. 151⟩are set downe in the Law, we are bound to them by the most strong obligations: what neede we contend further about the Law? Let us be established in these two, and it will be sufficient for our edifying; It is like when Paul wrote this Epistle to Titus, the heads of the people were troubled about some such kinde of questions about the Law, as are amongst us; therefore sayes he, Avoid foolish questions, and strivings about the Law. But now the questions about the Law are driven on to such a dangerous issue, that we have cause not onely to be carefull to avoid them, but even to tremble at the thought of them. It is now accounted a legall thing against the grace of the Gospel to confesse sin, to be humbled for sin, to make conscience of duty, or to be troubled in conscience for neglect of it; No, they thank God they are delivered from such things, in respect of God, whether they sin or not it is all one: yea these things prevaile with those who have beene forward in profession of Religion, who seemed to walke strictly, now are growne loose. That saith is easily wrought, which teacheth men to beleeve well of themselves, though their lives be ill. There is a mighty change in mens spirits now from that which was heretofore; Times have been when any opinion that tended to loosenesse, was presently distasted as unfavoury, and rejected by such, who made profession of Religion.
