The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

1. That it was a perfect complete Rule of all that internal, spiritual and moral Obedience which God required of the Church. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soul, the Testimony of the Lord is sure making Wise the Simple. Psal. 19.7. And it was so of all the external Duties of Obedience, for matter and manner, time and season; that in both, the Church might walk acceptably before God, Isa. 8.20. And although the Original Duties of the Moral Part of the Law are often preferred before the particular Instances of Obedience in Duties of outward Worship; yet the whole Law was always the whole Rule of all the Obedience internal and external that God required of the Church, and which he accepted in them that did believe.

1. That it was a perfect compleat Rule of all that internal, spiritual and moral Obedience which God required of the Church. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soul, the Testimony of the Lord is sure making Wise the Simple. Psal. 19.7. And it was so of all the external Duties of Obedience, for matter and manner, time and season; that in both, the Church might walk acceptably before God, Isa. 8.20. And although the Original Duties of the Moral Part of the Law are often preferred before the particular Instances of Obedience in Duties of outward Worship; yet the whole Law was always the whole Rule of all the Obedience internal and external that God required of the Church, and which he accepted in them that did believe.

2. That this Law, this Rule of Obedience as it was ordained of God to be the Instrument of his Rule of the Church, and ⟨p. 414⟩by Virtue of the Covenant made with Abraham, unto whose Administration it was Adapted, and which its Introduction on Sinai did not disannul, was accompanied with a Power and Efficacy enabling unto Obedience. The Law it self as merely preceptive and commanding, administered no Power or Ability unto those that were under its Authority to yield Obedience unto it; no more do the mere Commands of the Gospel. Moreover under the Old Testament it enforced Obedience on the Minds and Consciences of men, by the manner of its first delivery, and the severity of its Sanction, so as to fill them with fear and bondage; and was besides accompanied with such burdensome Rules of outward Worship, as made it an heavy yoke unto the people. But as it was Gods Doctrine, Teaching, Instruction in all acceptable Obedience unto himself, and was adapted unto the Covenant of Abraham, it was accompanied with an Administration of effectual Grace, procuring and promoting Obedience in the Church. And the Law is not to be looked on as separated from those Aids unto Obedience, which God administered under the Old Testament, whose effects are therefore ascribed unto the Law it self. See