A37046:1385
The law unsealed
The law unsealed: or, A practical exposition of the Ten Commandments With a resolution of several momentous questions and cases of conscience. By the learned, laborious, faithful servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. James Durham, late minister of the Gospel at Glasgow.
Glasgow: printed by Robert Sanders, 1676
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. If it be said that this sin is greater then any sin forbidden in any other of the Commands, therefore the Command forbidding it ought not to have been last.
Answ. In some respect it is greater, to wit, in it self, yet in respect of its palpableness and obviousness it is less; also this Command forbidding it, presseth a further degree and step into all that goeth before, and therefore is well subjoined.
Answ. In some respect it is greater, to wit, in it self, yet in respect of its palpableness and obviousness it is less; also this Command forbidding it, presseth a further degree and step into all that goeth before, and therefore is well subjo•ned.
2. We comprehend under this Command all first motions rising from that habitual Lust, in reference to more complete acts, although they be instantly checked & choked, and that whether they be in reference to particular objects, or whether they be vaging unsettled motions of any Lust in it self sinful; and that whether there be a delectation or staying on that forbidden object or not, or consenting to it, or resolution to follow it or not, as is evident in Paul, Rom. 7. For, 1. such motions are the births of a ⟨p. 273⟩a sinful mother, habitual lust: 2. They have sinful effects and tendencies, they are incitements to sins: 3. They are sinful in their nature, as being disconformed to the holy Law of God, and though they should presently be strangled, yet it is supposed that once they were; and if they were, they were either good or ill; if good, they should not have been strangled; if evil, then they had this inordinateness here forbidden, and that from our own hearts or inventions that gave them being, and therefore they must leave a guilt behind them. 4. Otherwayes these evils forbidden here, would not differ from the spiritual ills forbidden in other Commands that forbid Lust with consent and delight. 5. Our blessed Lord Jesus could be capable of none of these, and therefore the having of them must be unsuitable to his Image, who was like us in all things except sin. 6. Paul's assertion,