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thereof; h and that not only in regard of th matter contained in it, but also in respect of th authority of God the Creator, who gave it iNeither doth Christ in the gospel any way cis solve, but much strengthen, this obligation.

h Rom. xiii, 8, 9, 10. Eph. vi. 6, 1, 2. John, ii, 3, 4, 7, 8. i James, ii. 10, 11. k Mat Y. 17, 18, 19. James, ii. 8.

VI.

Although true beltevers be not under the law as a covenant of works, to be thereby jus tified or condemned; yet it is of reat use to them, as well as to others; in that, as a rule of life informing them of the will of God and their duy, and directs and binds them to walk accordingly; m discovering also the sinful poliu tions of their nature, hearts and lives; n so as, examining themselves the reby, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against sino together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ, and the perfection of his obedience. It is likewise of use to the regenerate, to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin. q and the threatenings of it serve to shew what even their sins deserve, and what afflictions in this life they may expect from them, although freed from the curse thereof, threatened in the law. r The promises of it in like manner, shew them God's approbation of obedience, and whit blessings they may ex· pect upon the performance thereof, s although

not as due to them by the law, as a covenant of works, so as a man's doing good, and refraining from evil, because the law encourageth to the one, and deterreth from the others, is no evidence of his being under the law, and not

under grace. u

1 Rom. vi. 14. Gal. ii. 16, and iii. 18, and iv. 4, 5. Acts, xiii. 39. Rom. viii. 1. m Rom. vii. 12, 22, 25. Psal. cxix. 4, 5, 6. I Cor. vii. 19. Gal. v. 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. ገ Rom. vii 7. and. iii. 20. o James, i. 23, 24, 25. R m. vii. 9, 14, 24. p Gal. iii. 24. Rom. vii. 24, 25, and viii. 3, 4. 9ames 2, 11. Psal. exix, 101, 104, 128. r Ezra, ix, 13, 14. Psa. lxxxix. 30, to 35. s Lev. xxvi. 3 to 14, with II Cor. 6, 16. Eph. vi. 2. 3. Psa. xxxvii. 11. Mat. v. 5. Psa. xix. 11. t Gal. ii. 16. Luke xvii. 10. u Rom. vi. 12, 14. I Pet. iii. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, with sa. xxxiv. 12, to 16. Heb. xii. 28, 29.

VII.

Neither are the forementioned uses of the law, contrary to the grace of the gospel, but do sweetly comply with it, w the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely and cheerfully, which the will of God revealed in the law required to be dong x w Gal. iii. 21. x Ezek. xxxvi. 20, 27. Heb.... viii. 10. Jer. xxxi. 33.

CHAP. XX.

Of the Gospel, and of the extent of the Graces

T

thereof.

HE covenant of works being broken by sin, and made unprofi ble unto life, a God was pleased to give unto the elect the promise of Christ, the seed of the woman, b as the means of calling them, and begetting in them faith and repentance. c In this promise, the gospel, as to the substance of it, was revealed, and was therein effectual for the conversion and salvation of sinners d

a Rom. viii. 3. Gal. iii. 12. Ga . iv. 4, 5. Rev. xiii. 3. 26. James, i. 18. Rom. x. 8. I Cor. ii. 2.

II.

C

b Gen. iii. 15.

I Cor. i. 23, 24, Acts, xi. 15, 18.

The promise of Christ, and s Ivation by him is revealed only in and by the word of God; e neither do the works of creation or Providence, with the light of nature, make discovery of Christ, or of grace by him, so much as in a gen. eral or obscure way; much less that men des titute of the revelation of him by the promise or gospel, should be enabled thereby to attain Saving faith or repent:nce g

e Mat. xi. 27. II Tim. i. 10. f Rom. i. 19, 20. Eph. ii, 12. Rom. xvi. 25, 26. Eph. iii. 9.

I Cor. i. 21. Rom. x 14,, 15. Prov. xxix, 18.

III.

The Revelation of the gospel unto sinners, m de at diver times, and by sundry parts, with the ddition of promises and precepts for the obedience required therein, as to the nations and persons to whom it is granted, is merely of the sovereign will and good pleasure of God. h not being annexed by virtue of any promise to the due improvement of men's natural abilitics, by virtue of common light received without it, which none ever did make, or can so do. ¿ And therefore in all ages, the preaching of the gospel hath been granted unto persons and nations, as to the extent or straitening of it, in great Variety, according to the counsel of the will of God.

h Heb. i. 1, 2. Deut. vii. 7, 6. Psa. cxlvii. 19, 20. Mat. xxi. 43, and xi. 25, 26. i John, i. 13, and ii. 6. Rom. ix. 16. Phil. ii. 13.. John, xv. 5. I Cor. ii. 14. Rom. viii. 7. k Amos, iii. 2. Mat. xxviii. 19, and xxi. 43. Eph. i. 11.

IV.

Although the gospel be the only outward means of revealing Christ and saving grace, and is as such, abundantly sufficient thereunto; yet that men who are dead in trespasses, may' be born again, quickene i or regenerated, there is moreover necessary, an effectual, irresistible,

4

work of the Holy Ghost upon the whole soul for the producing in them a new spiritual life without which no other means are sufficient for their conversion unto God. /

/ Eph. ii. 1. 5. Tit. iii. 5. John, xvi. 7 to 12. Acts, vi. 14. Eph. i, 19, 20. I Thes. v. 23. John, iii. 6. Gal. ii. 8. I Cor. ii. 6, 7.

CHAP. XXI.

Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience.

TH

HE liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the Gospel, consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the rigour and curse of the law, a and in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin, b from the evil of afflictions, the fear and sting of death, the victory of the grave, and everlasting damnation, as also in their free access to God, d and their yielding obedience unto him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love and willing mind:e All which were common also to believers under the law, for the substance of them, but under the new testament, the liberty of christians is further enlarged in their freedom from the yoke of the

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