Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses

Thirdly, The book of the Law shall be opened. This book is the standard and rule, by which is known what i• right, and what is wrong; as also, what sentence is to be passed accordingly, on these who are under it. As to the opening of this book, in its statutory part, which shows what is sin, and what is duty; it falls in with the opening of the book of conscience. For conscience is set, by the Sovereign Lawgiver, in every man's breast, to be his private teacher, to show him the law, and his private pastor, to make application of the same; and, at that day, it will be perfectly fit for its office; so that the conscience, which is most stupid now, shall then read to the man, most accurate, but dreadful lectures, on the law. But what seems (mainly at least) pointed at, by the opening of this book, is the opening of that part of it, which determines the reward of mens works. Now, the law promiseth life, upon perfect obedience: but none can be found on the right hand, or on the left, who will pretend to that, when once the book of conscience is opened, it threateneth death upon disobedience, and will effectually bring it upon all under its dominion. And this part of the book of the law, determining the reward of mens works, is ⟨p. 280⟩opened, only to show what must be the portion of the ungodly, and that there they may read their sentence before it be pronounced. But it is not opened for the sentence of the saints; for no sentence absolving a sinner could ever be drawn out of it. The law promiseth life, not as it is a rule of actions, but as a covenant of works: And therefore innocent man could not have demanded life upon his obedience, till the law was reduced into the form of a covenant; as was shown before. But the saints having been, in this life, brought under a new covenant, namely, the covenant of grace, were dead to the law, as a covenant of works, and it was dead to them. Wherefore, as they shall not have any fears of death from it, so they can have no hopes of life from it, since they are not under the law, but under grace, Rom. vi. 14 But, for their sentence, another book is opened; of which in the next place.

Thirdly, The book of the Law shall be opened. This book is the standard and rule, by which is known what i• right, and what is wrong; as also, what sentence is to be passed accordinly, on these who are under it. As to the opening of this book, in its statutory part, which shews what is sin, and what is duty; it falls in with the opening of the book of conscience. For conscience is set, by the Sovereign Lawgiver, in every man's breast, to be his private teacher, to shew him the law, and his private pastor, to make application of the same; and, at that day, it will be perfectly fit for its office; so that the conscience, which is most stupid now, shall then read to the man, most accurate, but dreadful lectures, on the law. But what seems (mainly at least) pointed at, by the opening of this book, is the opening of that part of it, which determines the reward of mens works. Now, the law promiseth life, upon perfect obedience: but none can be found on the right hand, or on the left, who will pretend to that, when once the book of conscience is opened, it threatneth death upon disobedience, and will effectually bring it upon all under its dominion. And this part of the book of the law, determining the reward of mens works, is