A37046:586
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.
2. Yet do they not bind absolutely, as the Duty lieth upon us and as we should aim at it; for though we be bound by the Law to be perfectly Holy, and without sin; yet doth not a Vow so tie us, or that Obligation is not from our Vow, but from the Law; because our Vow is to be understood, 1. With Respect to our Nature, now Corrupt and sinful: and therefore to Vow, absolutely, to be without Sin, or absolutely to abstain from it, is injurious and impossible, 2. With respect to our aim and desire. 3, With respect to our not Approving, or Dis approving our selves in any thing, wherein we come short. 4. In respect of the Obligation to endeavour it, which is, alway, and by all suitable means to press at it, and to leave nothing undone, which may further it: So then 1. They do not bind Absolutely or Simply, but Respectively. 2. Not as to the Victory, but as to the Wrestling and Fighting for Victory. 3. Not as to the Event, but as to the Means which are in our Power; and therefore some plead, That they had not broken Covenant, though they had Sins, Psal. 44. 17
2. Yet do they not bind absolutely, as the Duty lyeth upon us and as we should aim at it; for though we be bound by the Law to be perfectly Holy, and without sin; yet doth not a Vow so tye us, or that Obligation is not from our Vow, but from the Law; because our Vow is to be understood, 1. With Respect to our Nature, now Corrupt and sinful: and therefore to Vow, absolutely, to be without Sin, or absolutely to abstain from it, is injurious and impossible, 2. With respect to our aim and desire. 3, With respect to our not Approving, or Dis approving onr selves in any thing, wherein we come short. 4. In respect of the Obligation to endeavour it, which is, alway, and by all suitable means to presse at it, and to leave nothing undone, which may further it: So then 1. They do not bind Absolutely or Simply, but Respectively. 2. Not as to the Victory, but as to the Wrestling and Fighting for Victory. 3. Not as to the Event, but as to the Means which are in our Power; and therefore some plead, That they had not broken Covenant, though they had Sins, Psal. 44. 17