A discourse of the true nature of the Gospel demonstrating that it is no…

I will yet consider in order the several Authorities alleged; and first as to that of Justin Martyr. Any one who distinctly regards the Design of that Father's Writing, will see, that however he makes use of the word Law, by which to name the Gospel, yet by Law he means no more, than a new Doctrine or Dispensation of Grace. For his Design is to prove, against a Jew who was a great Admirer of his own Law, and its august Ceremonies and Worship, That all that solemn Pomp was excelled by the plain Evangelical Doctrine; that this new Discovery of the Blessings of Grace in the real and solid Substance, was infinitely preferable to all the old Representations and Shadows of those good Things: And therefore by this new Law, or this new Instruction of Grace coming, those old Rudiments go off as useless to teach us any longer. The Gospel as a new Doctrine of Grace appearing, the old Institutions of Sacrifices and External Rites, civilly are to withdraw, to give place to a superior and better Instructor. To prove this is the Design of that Father's Dialogue against the Jew; and all that can be gathered from his calling the Gospel a New Law, is only this, that it is a fuller and clearer Revelation of the Grace of God in Christ, as is evident from what follows a little after those Words cited by my Learned Brother, where Justin Martyr expresseth his Meaning about the Gospel's being a New Law,^c that it is so as it is a new and clearer Dispensation of Grace: for having cited that Place in Isa. 55. 3, 4. expressing the Nature of the Gospel, and upbraiding the Jew for his Confidence in old Legal Performances, in Circumcision, in eating unleavened Bread, in washing in the Laver of Water, in the Blood of Sheep and ⟨p. 65⟩Goats, and the Ashes of an Heifer; It is not by these, says he, that Sinners are purified, but by the Blood of Christ, and his Death; who died for that very Purpose, as Esa himself hath spoketh it. And then he largely recites the six last Verses of the 52d Chapter, and Chap. 53. entire, and the six first Verses of the 54th Chapter of that Prophet; which contain the most clear and full Discovery of the Doctrine of Grace, as is in all the old Testament. So that all which the Father intends by the Name of a new Law given to the Gospel, is, that it is a Doctrine of Grace newly revealed: And in this Sense, I am very willing to call it so too.