A53731:195
A treatise of the dominion of sin and grace wherein sin's reign is discovered,…
A treatise of the dominion of sin and grace wherein sin's reign is discovered, in whom it is, and in whom it is not : how the law supports it, how grace delivers from it, by setting up its dominion the heart / by John Owen ...
London: printed by J. L. for William Marshall, 1688
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
THIS Law falls under a double consideration; but in neither of them was designed to give Power or Strength against Sin.
1. AS it was given unto Mankind in the state of Innocency. And it did then absolutely and exactly declare the whole Duty of Man, whatever God in his Wisdom and Holiness did require of us. It was God's Ruling of men according to the Principle of the Righteousness wherein he was created. But it gave no new aids against Sin; nor was there any need that so it should do. It was not the Ordinance of God to administer new or more Grace unto Man, but to rule and govern him according to what he had perceived. And this it continueth to do for ever. It claims and continues a Rule over all Men, according to what they had, and what they have. But it never had power to bar the Entrance of Sin, or to cast it out when it is once Enthroned.
1. AS it was given unto Mankind in the state of Innocency. And it did then absolutely and exactly declare the whole Duty of Man, whatever God in his Wisdom and Holiness did require of us. It was God's Ruling of men according to the Principle of the Righteousness wherein he was created. But it gave no new aids against Sin; nor was there any need that so it should do. It was not the Ordinance of God to administer new or more Grace unto Man, but to rule and govern him according to what he had perceived. And this it continueth to do for ever. It claims and continues a Rule over all Men, according to what they had, and what they have. But it never had power to barr the Entrance of Sin, or to cast it out when it is once Enthroned.
2dly. AS it was renewed and enjoined unto the Church of Israel on Mount Sinai, and with them unto all that would join themselves unto the Lord out of the Nations of the World. Yet neither was it then, nor as such, designed unto any such End, as to destroy or dethrone Sin, by an Administration of spiritual Strength and Grace. It had some new Ends given then unto it, which it had not in its original Constitution. The principal whereof was to drive men to the Promise and Christ therein. And this it doth by all the Acts and Powers of it on the Souls of Men. As it discovers Sin, as it irritates and provokes it by its severity, as it judgeth and condemneth it, as it denounceth a Curse on Sinners, it drives unto this End. For this was added of Grace in the Renovation of it; this new End was given unto it; in it self it hath nothing to do with Sinners, but to Judge, Curse, and Condemn them.