A57980:1288
A survey of the spiritual antichrist opening the secrets of familism and antinomianism in…A survey of the spirituall antichrist opening the secrets of familisme and antinomianisme in…
A survey of the spiritual antichrist opening the secrets of familism and antinomianism in the antichristian doctrine of John Saltmarsh and Will. Del, the present preachers of the army now in England, and of Robert Town, by Samuel Rutherfurd ...A survey of the spirituall antichrist opening the secrets of familisme and antinomianisme in the antichristian doctrine of John Saltmarsh and Will. Del, the present preachers of the army now in England, and of Robert Town, by Samuel Rutherfurd ...
London: printed by J.D. & R.I. for Andrew Crooke, 1648
Part 1 › Chapter 35: Of communion with God, and serving him in the Spirit.
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.
In the former consideration, the Law, in it self as the Law, eternally and immutably presseth perfect active obedience, but gives not strength to obey, but supposeth strength to these, to whom it is first given: but if so be that these to whom it is given, have abundance of the Spirit and strength to obey perfectly, as Christ in the days of his flesh and the elect Angels have, the Law, in its highest rigour of commanding perfect obedience, (it is not properly rigour, though we must use the word, but strictness) hath no compulsive power over them; for ye cannot say that a willing man, or a man delighting to obey God, is compelled to obey God.
In the former consideration, the Law, in it selfe as the Law, eternally and immutably presseth perfect active obedience, but gives not strength to obey, but supposeth strength to these, to whom it is first given: but if so be that these to whom it is given, have abundance of the Spirit and strength to obey perfectly, as Christ in the dayes of his flesh and the elect Angells have, the Law, in its highest rigor of commanding perfect obedience, (it is not properly rigor, though we must use the word, but strictnesse) hath no compulsive power over them; for ye cannot say that a willing man, or a man delighting to obey God, is compelled to obey God.
But if we speak of man fallen in sin, who is unable to perform perfect active obedience, the Law stands over him in a highest pitch of moral compulsion: for whether he be willing to obey or have the Spirit, or be unable and void of the Spirit, the Law standeth above him exacting a sum of ten thousand talents from him, that cannot pay the hundred part of half a talent, or an halfpenny, as he ought.
But if we speake of man fallen in sinne, who is unable to performe perfect active obedience, the Law stands over him in a highest pitch of morall compulsion: for whether he be willing to obey or have the Spirit, or be unable and void of the Spirit, the Law standeth above him exacting a summe of ten thousand talents from him, that cannot pay the hundreth part of halfe a talent, or an halfpenny, as he ought.