A77854:706
Vindiciæ legis
Vindiciæ legis: or, A vindication of the moral law and the covenants, from the errors of papists, Arminians, Socinians, and more especially, Antinomians. In XXIX. lectures, preached at Laurence-Jury, London. / By Anthony Burgess, preacher of Gods Word.Vindiciæ legis: or, A vindication of the morall law and the covenants, from the errours of papists, Arminians, Socinians, and more especially, Antinomians. In XXIX. lectures, preached at Laurence-Jury, London. / By Anthony Burgess, preacher of Gods Word.
London: printed by James Young for Thomas Underhill, 1646
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.
But sincerity may be taken two wales: First, as it opposeth 1gross hypocrisy, and so indeed the Jews zeal was not hypocritical, because they did not go against their conscience: or, Secondly, it may be taken for the truth of grace, and so the Jews zeal was not a true gracious zeal, for the reasons above named. Now my Text, that is given as a reason, why the Jews did look to their own righteousness, and not that of Gods, because they neglected Christ, who is here said to be the end of the Law for righteousness. The word [Greek or Hebrew] doth sometimes signify, 2the extreme and last end of a thing: Thus Mark. 13. 7. The end is not yet; so those who are against the calling of the nation of the Jews, bring that place, 1 Thes. 2. ver. 16. Wrath is come upon them [Greek or Hebrew]: as if there were no mercy to be expected. But this may admit of another exposition. Sometimes the word is used for perfection and fulfilling of a thing, according to the word [Greek or Hebrew] Rom. 2. 27. Shall not uncircumcision, [Greek or Hebrew], if it fulfil the Law? So James 2. 8. If you fulfil the royal Law. In this sense Aristotle called the soul [Greek or Hebrew], [Greek or Hebrew], as that which did perfect: And the sacrifices before marriage, which was the consummation of that near bond; or because of the cost then bestowed, were called [Greek or Hebrew]. Erasmus takes it in this sense here, and doth translate it perfection: for which Beza doth reprove him, saying, he doth not remember that the word is so used any where. But that place, 1 Tim. 7. 5. The end of the commandment is charity, may seem to confirm this sense; for, certainly, that phrase is no more then that in another place, Love is [Greek or Hebrew], the fulfilling of the Law. Therefore, I think, this is a great part of the meaning here, Christ is the end, that is, the perfection, the fullness of the Law. Yet, I shall take in also the end of intention, or a scope, unto which the Law-giver aimed, when he gave the Law: and this will be showed in the particulars; The doctrine ⟨p. 256⟩