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

that it is frivolous to design from this Text to prove the Gospel to be a new and more perfect Law made by Christ in the New Testament, whenas tho indeed by this Hebraism the Gospel is called a Law by the Apostle, Rom. 8. 2. as also by the Psalmist, Psal. 19. 8. yet with a Restriction; but the Law is never called a Gospel. And the latter Words [the Word of the Lord] he makes consonantly with Calvin, to be exegetical of the former Law, &c. as demonstrating, that nothing but the Doctrine of the Gospel is thereby signified. But really there need no more than carefully to review the Context, to be satisfied, that by the word Law here is meant the Doctrine of Grace in the Gospel: For all this 4th Chapter of Micah is a Word of Consolation to an afflicted People, from the refreshing Springs of its gracious Promises, as^e Junius notes. The Law then by consequence must signify the Doctrine wherein those are contained: And the Acclamations too of the rejoicing People proclaim the same thing, who mutually exhort one another in the second Verse, to go up to this glorious Mountain, because there Christ would teach them this Doctrine of Grace, Micah 4. 2. And many Nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, and to the House of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his Ways, and we will walk in his Paths: for the Law shall go forth of Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem. I know it may be objected, that the Phrase [And we will walk in his Paths] seems to imply a Precept and Command, and so a Law in the strictest Sense, to which they vowed Obedience: But this may as easily be denied, as 'tis asserted precariously: for since, according to the usual Language of God's Word, to walk in God's Paths, is to observe his Orders and Appointments, the Expression here may denote no more than that they would punctually keep to the Way of Salvation, marked out by him, (which I wish, with all my Soul, was the hearty Resolve of all who hear the Gospel) and seek to be justified no otherwise than by Christ's Blood and Righteousness, as the Law or Doctrine of the Gospel prescribes.

that it is frivolous to design from this Text to prove the Gospel to be a new and more perfect Law made by Christ in the New Testament, whenas tho indeed by this Hebraism the Gospel is call'd a Law by the Apostle,