We may consider nextly what kind of Law in particular it is, which will farther evidence that power of it, which we are enquiring after. It is not an outward, written, commanding, directing Law, but an inbred, working, impelling, urging Law. A Law proposed unto us, is not to be compared for efficacy to a Law inbred in us. Adam had a Law of sin proposed to him in his temptation, but because he had no Law of Sin inbred and working in him, he might have withstood it. An inbred Law must needs be effectual. Let us take an example from that Law, which is contrary to this Law of Sin. The Law of God, was at first inbred and natural unto man, it was concreated with his faculties, and was their rectitude both in being and operation in reference to his end of living unto God, and glorifying of him. Hence it had an especial power in the whole soul, to enable it unto all obedience, yea, and to make all obedience easy and pleasant. Such is the power of an inbred Law. And though this Law as to the rule and dominion of it, be now by nature cast out of the soul, yet the remaining sparks of it, because they are inbred, are very powerful and effectual, as the Apostle declares, Rom. 2. 14, 15. Afterwards God renews this Law, and writes it in Tables of Stone; but what is the efficacy of this Law; will it now ⟨p. 17⟩as it is external, and proposed unto men, enable them to perform the things that it exacts and requires? not at all. God knew it would not, unless it were turned to an internal Law again; that is until of a moral outward rule, it be turned into an inward real principle. Wherefore God makes his Law internal again, and implants it on the heart as it was at first, when he intends to give it power to produce obedience in his people, Jer. 31. 31, 32, 33. I will put my Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts. This is that which God fixeth on, as it were upon a discovery of the insufficiency of an outward Law leading men unto Obedience. The written Law, saith he, will not do it; Mercies and Deliverances from distress will not effect it; Trials and Afflictions will not accomplish it; then saith the Lord, will I take another course; I will turn the written Law, into an internal living Principle, in their hearts, and that will have such an efficacy, as shall assuredly make them my People, and keep them so. Now such is this Law of Sin, it is an Indwelling-Law, Rom.
We may consider nextly what kind of Law in particular it is, which will farther evidence that power of it, which we are enquiring after. It is not an outward, written, commanding, directing Law, but an inbred, working, impelling, urging Law. A Law proposed unto us, is not to be compared for efficacy to a Law inbred in us. Adam had a Law of sin proposed to him in his temptation, but because he had no Law of Sin inbred and working in him, he might have withstood it. An inbred Law must needs be effectual. Let us take an example from that Law, which is contrary to this Law of Sin. The Law of God, was at first inbred and natural unto man, it was concreated with his faculties, and was their rectitude both in being and operation in reference to his end of living unto God, and glorifying of him. Hence it had an especial power in the whole soul, to enable it unto all obedience, yea, and to make all obedience easie and pleasant. Such is the power of an inbred Law. And though this Law as to the rule and dominion of it, be now by nature cast out of the soul, yet the remaining sparks of it, because they are inbred, are very powerful and effectual, as the Apostle declares, Rom. 2. 14, 15. Afterwards God renews this Law, and writes it in Tables of Stone; but what is the efficacy of this Law; will it now ⟨p. 17⟩as it is external, and proposed unto men, enable them to perform the things that it exacts and requires? not at all. God knew it would not, unless it were turned to an internal Law again; that is untill of a moral outward rule, it be turned into an inward real principle. Wherefore God makes his Law internal again, and implants it on the heart as it was at first, when he intends to give it power to produce obedience in his people, Jer. 31. 31, 32, 33. I will put my Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts. This is that which God fixeth on, as it were upon a discovery of the insufficiency of an outward Law leading men unto Obedience. The written Law, saith he, will not do it; Mercies and Deliverances from distress will not effect it; Trials and Afflictions will not accomplish it; then saith the Lord, will I take another course; I will turn the written Law, into an internal living Principle, in their hearts, and that will have such an efficacy, as shall assuredly make them my People, and keep them so. Now such is this Law of Sin, it is an Indwelling-Law, Rom.
