More expressly the Doctrine of Grace in the Gospel is called a Law, Psal. 19. 7. The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the Soul: the Testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the Simple. That it is not a Law of Works, but the Word of Grace, is evident from Scripture, which is the best interpreter of it self. For the Apostle Paul, who best knew the Psalmist's meaning, applies the 4th Verse of this Psalm 19. to illustrate the swift spreading of the Doctrine of the Gospel, and the Teaching and Instruction of it coming to all Nations; Rom. 10. 17, 18. So then, Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their Sound went into all the Earth, and their Words unto the Ends of the World. That as the Sun, and Moon, and Stars, in a Day and Night's Journey look round all the Earth, and tell to all the Nations the Power and Wisdom of the Creator, tho they say not a Word of his Mercy and Grace: So the Preaching of the Gospel shall give a Sound through the whole World, not merely to proclaim the Great Majesty and Goodness of God who made it, but his Infinite Grace undiscernible by Reason; and the Love of our Saviour, which is ⟨p. 9⟩above all our Thoughts. Now then, as the plain Intention of the Psalmist is by a Comparison to show, that as the Heavens manifest God's Adorable Perfections, so his Law, vers. 7. hath a more excellent Sound and Instruction, in the Discoveries which it makes of his Grace: the Apostle's taking one part of this Comparison, and applying it to the Word, or Doctrine of the Gospel, necessarily infers, that he understood the Psalmist to intend by his Law no other, than this Doctrine of Grace, which as the Sun, and all the other Lights of Heaven, spreads so swiftly and universally. If we consider too the Psalmist's Sense as expressed by himself, we shall find that the Effects which he ascribes to his Law, cannot be produced but by a pure Doctrine of Grace.
More expresly the Doctrine of Grace in the Gospel is called a Law, Psal. 19. 7. The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the Soul: the Testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the Simple. That it is not a Law of Works, but the Word of Grace, is evident from Scripture, which is the best interpreter of it self. For the Apostle Paul, who best knew the Psalmist's meaning, applies the 4th Verse of this Psalm 19. to illustrate the swift spreading of the Doctrine of the Gospel, and the Teaching and Instruction of it coming to all Nations; Rom. 10. 17, 18. So then, Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their Sound went into all the Earth, and their Words unto the Ends of the World. That as the Sun, and Moon, and Stars, in a Day and Night's Journey look round all the Earth, and tell to all the Nations the Power and Wisdom of the Creator, tho they say not a Word of his Mercy and Grace: So the Preaching of the Gospel shall give a Sound through the whole World, not meerly to proclaim the Great Majesty and Goodness of God who made it, but his Infinite Grace undiscernable by Reason; and the Love of our Saviour, which is ⟨p. 9⟩above all our Thoughts. Now then, as the plain Intention of the Psalmist is by a Comparison to shew, that as the Heavens manifest God's Adorable Perfections, so his Law, vers. 7. hath a more excellent Sound and Instruction, in the Discoveries which it makes of his Grace: the Apostle's taking one part of this Comparison, and applying it to the Word, or Doctrine of the Gospel, necessarily infers, that he understood the Psalmist to intend by his Law no other, than this Doctrine of Grace, which as the Sun, and all the other Lights of Heaven, spreads so swiftly and universally. If we consider too the Psalmist's Sense as expressed by himself, we shall find that the Effects which he ascribes to his Law, cannot be produced but by a pure Doctrine of Grace.
