A treatise of the covenant of grace, as it is dispensed to the elect…

But what say you then unto men that are under a Covenant of Grace, and brought unto fellowship with Christ therein? of what use is the Law of of God unto such? is it utterly ⟨p. 82⟩antiquated, or is there any more to be done with it?

The Apostle answereth this Question, Answ. when he saith, I am not without the Law to God, but under the Law to Christ, 1 Cor. 9.21. so (mind you) the Law is of use unto the Apostle Paul, but how? as the Law cometh under Christ, so Paul cometh under the Law; this is the sum of the Answer, but that would be further explained. What meaneth he when he saith, I am under the Law to Christ? In some sense a Christian is wholly freed from the Law: In some sense he is yet under the Law. So far as the Law is any way besides, or out of Christ, so far the Apostle is without the Law: So far as the Law is under Christ, so far he is under the Law. Keep close to these two Principles, and you shall safely avoid Rocks on every hand: thus by the use of the Law shall you not go aside to a Govenant of Works, nor by attendance unto Grace, shall you need to neglect the Law. How far is the Law under Christ? when it hath brought the soul nearer unto Christ, and in a remote manner prepared him, the Law is in Christ, and you subject to it in him. 1. As the Law is given by Christ. 2. As in Christ help is given to perform it. First, as the Law is given by Christ, as 1 Thes. 4.2, 3. You know what Commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus: for this is the will of God, even your Sanctification, &c. and many other commandments he gave them, all which are legal commandments, and yet the Apostle gave them by the Lord Jesus: so Mat. 5.17. to the end of the chapter: our Saviour ⟨p. 83⟩Christ would not have us think that he came to destroy the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfil them. And to that end he doth there expound the spiritual and true meaning of the Law, that whereas the Pharisees held forth the outward letter of the Law to be observed only, as thinking that unless a man did commit the Act of Murder, he was not guilty of the breach of the sixth Commandment; and if he committed not the Act of Adultery, he transgressed not the seventh Commandment, and so of the rest: Our Saviour Christ expoundeth the Law more spiritually, showing that anger against a mans brother is the breach of the sixth Commandment; and whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her in his heart, and broken the seventh commandment; thus Christ hath as it were revived Moses: but as the Law is given by Christ, it is not a covenant of Works, but a commandment of well-doing;