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…

2. The separation of the Duties of the Law from the Grace of the Gospel, will have the like effect. For this will quickly issue in a pretence of Morality, set up its opposition unto true evangelical Obedience. And there is no way whereby the whole Rule of Duty can be rendered more ineffectual and useless unto the souls of men. For take away that Reconciliation which is made in Christ between the Law and the Gospel, and it will prove a killing Letter only. And so far as this imagination is gone about it quickly manifests it self in its Fruits. For every attempt of men against the Grace of God will issue in the ruin of morality among themselves.

2. The separation of the Duties of the Law from the Grace of the Gospel, will have the like effect. For this will quickly issue in a pretence of Morality, set up its opposition unto true evangelical Obedience. And there is no way whereby the whole Rule of Duty can be rendred more ineffectual and useless unto the souls of men. For take away that Reconciliation which is made in Christ between the Law and the Gospel, and it will prove a killing Letter only. And so far as this imagination is gone about it quickly manifests it self in its Fruits. For every attempt of men against the Grace of God will issue in the ruine of morality among themselves.

Such Apprehensions as these in a coincidence with abounding tentations suited unto the Lusts of all sorts of men, cannot but promote the Interest and prevalency of Sin and Antichrist in the World. However manifest it is, that that is a great neglect and contempt of the holy Rule of obedience in the most, with great ignorance and misunderstanding of the design and sense of it in many. Wherefore an upright endeavour to Declare and Vindicate the Authority and meaning of it, as also to make Application of it unto the Consciences of professed Christians, to direct them in, and press them unto the constant performance of all Duties of obedience, cannot but be esteemed seasonable, and through the blessing of God may be singularly useful. So our Lord Jesus Christ himself observing the mischief that had befallen the Church by the false exposition of the Law, obtruded on the people by the Pharisees, began his Prophetical Ministry in the vindication of it from their corrupting glosses, restoring its pristine Crown of purity and spirituality, as the Jews have yet a Tradition, that it shall be so in the days of the Messiah. And on the same consideration it cannot be denied, but that the Endeavour of this worthy servant of Christ in the work of the Gospel, the Author of the ensuing Exposition of the Decalogue, is both seasonable and worthy of Acceptation. For as other endeavours also are required in all them on whom it is incumbent, to take care in their respective stations for the improvement of Holiness in the Church, and the obstruction of the progress of Sin, what in them lieth; so for the reasons before-mentioned, that in this particular way is peculiarly seasonable and d useful. And I am persuaded, that every pious, humble and