A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

Add our blessed Lord Jesus in his utter want of, and freedom from, all corruption was conformed to the Law, and it was a part of his conformity to it, and to this Command rather then to any other, that the Devil had nothing in him, no, not so much as a motus primo primus (as they call it) to sin, nor any root from which it should spring.

Add our blessed Lord Jesus in his utter vvant of, and freedom from, all corruption vvas conformed to the Lavv, and it vvas a part of his conformity to it, and to this Command rather then to any other, that the Devil had nothing in him, no, not so much as a motus primo primus (as they call it) to sin, nor any root from vvhich it should spring.

If it be objected, 1. That this Lust is in men antecedently, not only to any formal vvill of their own, but to all power and ability to help it, or so much as not to vvill it, and so cannot be supposed to be forbidden to them.

If it be objected, 1. That this Lust is in men antecedently, not only to any formal vvill of their ovvn, but to all povver and ability to help it, or so much as not to vvill it, and so cannot be supposed to be forbidden to them.

Answ. 1. There are many things forbidden them, which now after the fall is not in their power to prevent. 2. This Law is to be looked on as given to man in his innocency, which therefore required of him the keeping entire and undefaced the Image of God, according to which he was created; and now condemneth him for the want of it, the scope of the Law being to point out perfect holiness, without respect to a mans ability, or his present condition, but to his duty, for the performing of which he got a power from God at first, but through voluntary transgression of the Law lost it, and none vvill deny but if it be a sin to have such a polluted nature, the Law must require it to be otherwise.