2 Conclusion. The word preached of it self, is not a dead letter, as Schwenkfeldians say with Antinomians, 1Paul calleth the Law a dead Letter, Because it teacheth what we should do, but promiseth not the Spirit of Grace, to obey as the Gospel doth. And punit delinquents punisheth eternally delin•u••ts, saith Chrysost, 2 Cor. 3. hom. 7. and Oecumenius ▪ [Greek or Hebrew] ⟨p. 28⟩[Greek or Hebrew].2 Theophylact saith the same▪ Augustine saith the Law makes us know, not eschew sin, and the Gospel is not a dead letter of it self, even as the Letter of it is void of the Spirit, except by accident, in the same sense, that it is the savour of death unto death, and a rock of offence to those that stumble at the word. But is not (may some say) the law also by accident, and through our sinful condition, a condemning letter, aswell as the Gospel, and so both, because they are external, and literal, must be a dead letter? I answer, not so, because the Gospel in the letter and literal sense offereth a way or means of reconciliation to tho•e that believe, but the Law as the Law in no sense, can either offer or give life, but in regard that all have sinned, the proper use of the Law to all under the Law, is to give out a sentence of condemnation in the very external and literal sense of it. If the Law lead as a Paedagogue any to Christ that is now by a higher Spirit then that which speaketh in the letter of the Law, it's true, its the same infinite Spirit, The Lord that speaketh in all Scripture, but in the Law he saith nothing but either perfectly, do all or die eternally. But in the Law as handed by the Prophets, Christ and the Apostles the Lord condemneth and convinceth, that we may flee to the surety of a better Covenant, Heb. 7.22. Now in this sense Law and Gospel called the word of God, is not a dead letter in it self for Psa. 19.7. The Law of the Lord converteth the soul, &c. Rom. 1.16. The Gospel is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth, both to work faith, Rom. 10.17. and to give salvation. Rom. 15.4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope, this must be the written scriptures [Greek or Hebrew] 1 Cor. 1.21.
2 Conclusion. The word preached of it selfe, is not a dead letter, as Swenckfeldians say with Antinomians, 1Paul calleth the Law a dead Letter, Because it teacheth what we should doe, but promiseth not the Spirit of Grace, to obey as the Gospell doth. And punit delinquentes punisheth eternally delin•u••ts, saith Chrysost, 2 Cor. 3. hom. 7. and Oecumenius ▪ 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 ⟨p. 28⟩〈non-Latin alphabet〉.2 Theophylact saith the same▪ Augustine saith the Law makes us know, not eschew sinne, and the Gospell is not a dead letter of it selfe, even as the Letter of it is voyd of the Spirit, except by accident, in the same sense, that it is the savour of death unto death, and a rocke of offence to those that stumble at the word. But is not (may some say) the law also by accident, and through our sinfull condition, a condemning letter, aswell as the Gospell, and so both, because they are externall, and literall, must be a dead letter? I answer, not so, because the Gospell in the letter and literall sense of•ereth a way or meanes of reconciliation to tho•e that beleeve, but the Law as the Law in no sense, can either offer or give life, but in regard that all have sinned, the proper use of the Law to all under the Law, is to give out a sentence of condemnation in the very externall and literall sense of it. If the Law lead as a Paedagogne any to Christ that is now by a higher Spirit then that which speaketh in the letter of the Law, it's true, its the same infinite Spirit, The Lord that speaketh in all Scripture, but in the Law he saith nothing but either perfectly, doe all or die eternally. But in the Law as handed by the Prophets, Christ and the Apostles the Lord condemneth and convinceth, that we may flee to the suretie of a better Covenant, Heb. 7.22. Now in this sense Law and Gospell called the word of God, is not a dead letter in it selfe for
- 12 Conclusion.
- 2August. de Chir. •t lit. c. 4. Quoniam legis, l••era, quae doce• •on esse peccandum, si spiritus vi […] •esit, […] f•cit peccatum […] quam […]August. de Chir. •t lit. c. 4. Quoniam legis, l••era, quae doce• •on esse peccandum, si spiritus vi 〈…〉 •esit, 〈…〉 f•cit peccatum 〈…〉 quam 〈…〉
