A41521:112
A discourse of the true nature of the Gospel demonstrating that it is no…
A discourse of the true nature of the Gospel demonstrating that it is no new law, but a pure doctrine of grace : in answer to the Reverend Mr. Lorimer's Apology / by Tho. Goodwin ...
London: printed by J. Darby, 1695
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
When the Holy Ghost himself, who inspired the Minds, and guided the Pens both of the Prophets and Apostles; and not only suggested things to their Thoughts, but the fittest Words too by which to express them: If this holy infallible Spirit, calling the Gospel a Law, means no other than a Doctrine of Grace; any one would think, that we could not be at a loss how to understand the Word. I need not therefore multiply Instances, a few more may suffice.
When the Holy Ghost himself, who inspir'd the Minds, and guided the Pens both of the Prophets and Apostles; and not only suggested things to their Thoughts, but the fittest Words too by which to express them: If this holy infallible Spirit, calling the Gospel a Law, means no other than a Doctrine of Grace; any one would think, that we could not be at a loss how to understand the Word. I need not therefore multiply Instances, a few more may suffice.
Zacharias Ursinus, when he calleth the Gospel a new Form of Law, takes care to direct us to his right Sense, and punctually tells us, that he means no ⟨p. 39⟩more by it, than a new Doctrine of Grace. aThe Prophet (says he, expounding Isa. 2. 3.) signifies that a new Manifestation of God, and a new Form of Law and Worship, is to be expected out of Zion; that is to say, Christ being revealed, and the Ceremonies abolished. But when he says that the Law shall go forth out of Zion, it is queried, Whether by this, and the like Places, the Opinion of the Papists is established, who will have it, that Christ came that he might be a new Law-giver, who should publish a better and more perfect Law than had been before delivered by Moses; that Men for the future, living according to that Law, might by this their Obedience please God, and obtain Eternal Life? The Answer is easy from this most usual Phrase in Scripture, by which, under the Name Law, the whole Doctrine is understood, &c. Therefore that Monkish Opinion is to be avoided, as the Plague and Subversion of all Christianity, and an obscuring of the Offices and Benefits of Christ; and as not differing from the Opinions of Heathens, Jews, Turks, and other Sects, concerning our Justification before God.