A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 212 (Question 82)
SERMON CCXII.
QUESTION LXXXII.
IS any man able perfectly to keep the Commandments of God?
ANSWER
NO meer man ſince the Fall, is able in this Life perfectly to keep the Commandments of God, but daily doth break them in Thought, Word, and Deed.
WE have taken an account of the Moral Law, as it is ſummarily comprized in the Decalogus; in which we are told what was the Duty which God required of Man at the firſt, and which He revived again to his People on Mount Sinai. But it may here be Enquired, To what purpoſe it is recited in the Doctrine of Fallen Man's Religion; or, to what end are the Rules of it rought us in the Goſ…e.? Or, what is the uſe of it to Chriſtians who are called to live by Faith, which the Apoſtle ſ…te in Oppoſition to the Law, and tells us in Rom. 4.13. For the promiſe that he ſhould be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his ſeed through the law, but through the righteouſneſs of faith. And doubtleſs a right Underſtanding of this is very neceſſary, if we would not deceive ourſelves, & loſe the benefit of the Goſpel, or New-Covenant. And that we may for …ity our ſelves againſt the Pelagian and Popiſh Errors on the one hand, which ſome Proteſtants have too deeply imbibed, and the Antinomian and Libertine Frenzies on the other, which too ſadly prevail in this Licentious Age, let theſe things be obſerved;
[1.] THAT the Moral Law, as it was given to Man at firſt, comes under a double Conſideration. And without a right Conſideration of this, we ſhall never be able to pals a right Judgment on this Affair.
1. IT is Confidered as a Rule of Obedience, ſuited to the Nature of Man for his Direction, how to Live and Glorify God. God made all things for Himſelf and His own Glory, which is the Laſt End of all Second Beings; and as He put ſeveral Natures into the Creatures, ſo He deſigned His Glory by them, ſuitably to thoſe Natures, or according as they were adapted. Man therefore being a reaſonable Creature, was fitted for active Obedience, in paying a reaſonable Service unto God. And there was a way in which God was to be Glorified by him, which muſt be made known to him, or in him; and this is that which is comprized in the Law of Nature, or the Moral Law. It was therefore at firſt engraven firmly on his Conſcience, which is therefore called the Law of Nature, becauſe his natural Conſcience, from the Nature of God, and his own Nature, and the Relation between God and him, told him, that This was Holy, & Juſt and Good. And becauſe the Fall had blotted the Original, God pleaſed to tranſcribe it in Tables of Stone ſot Perpetuity; Obedience whereto is declared to be Man's Wiſdom, Job 28.28. And unto man be ſaid, Behold, the …r of the Lord, that is wiſdom, and to depart from evil is underſtanding Now this Law, as a Rule, is of perpetual Force; it is an Everlaſting Rule, becauſe it ceaſeth not to be agreeable to Man's Nature, conſidered as under the Special Government of God: So that tho' the Goſpel Adminiſtration removes and maketh Void the Law of Ordinances, or Ceremonial and Typical Law, becauſe it pointed to a CHRIST to come, in whom all that is pretigured is accompliſhed; yet the Law Moral abides, becauſe the Reaſon of it can never ceaſe, whilſt God is God, and Man is Man. And to diſcharge Men from this Obligation, as the Libertines do, is to his Hurt and not Benefit.
2. IT may be Confidered as perfect Obedience to it, was made the Condition on which Man was to enjoy Life and Happineſs. When God had made Man, and every way furniſhed him for this Obedience He treated with him about it in a Covenant Way, in which He required it of him under the moſt ſolemn Sanctions; the Subſtance of which is, Do this, and Live Rom. 10.5. Ezek. 18.4. Now altho this as a Condition in removed by the New Covenant, which hath brought in that of …aith in the room of it; and therefore we are told in, Gal. 2.16. A Man is not juſt fied by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jeſus Chriſt. Yet there are theſe Three things which abide a Truth under the Goſpal Diſpenſation, viz.
1. THAT all Mankind abide under the Covenant of Works, till they are effect…lly brought under the Covenant of Grace. There is a New-Covenant of Grace opened unto Man ſince the Apoſtacy, in which Life and Immortality are brought to Light, 2 Tim. 1.10. This is offered to Men upon Terms by the Goſpel, upon the cordial Compliance therewithal: But this Offer finds Men under the Firſt Covenant; and it is by their entertaining theſe Terms, that they paſs from under it, and are no longer under the Law, but under Grace; till when their former State remains, according to Joh. 3.18, 36. He that believeth en him, is not condemned: but he that believeth not, is condemned already, becauſe he hath not believed in the name of the only begetten Son of God. Which plainly infers it. And this was intimated by the Renovation of the Law at Mount Sinai, on God's Covenanting with Iſrael; Exod. 20.
2. THAT Man was to ſtand or fall by that Covenant, on the trial of his Obedience. It was a Perfect Perſonal Obedience which was Exacted of Man by it, in Caſe whereof he was ſecured by an inviolable Promiſe of a conſtant Life of Bleſſedneſs: But on the other hand, he was aſſured of ſuffering Death, in the Compleatneſs of it, on the leaſt Default in it. And on theſe Terms every one that abides under that Covenant, doth ſtand with God, till he is delivered from it; ſo the Threatning runs, Gen. 2.17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou ſhalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou cateſ… thereof, thou ſhalt ſurely die. And ſo the Apoſile tells us concerning every one who ſtands under the Relation that Covenant; Gal 3 10. For at many as are of the works of the law, are under the curſe: for it is written, Curſed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. So that the Law ſtands not only as a Rule of Obedience, but alſo a Covenant, (by which he muſt be tried,) to every Untegenerate Man, whatſoever outward Relation he bears to the Goſpel Covenant.
3. THAT there is no hope for Man to be Juſtified before God, but by a Satisfactory Obedience offered to that Law or Covenant, which may be accounted His, and accepted on his Account. This is too little regarded among Men, and is the occaſion of ſo many hurtful Miſtakes taken up about the New Covenant: Some think that the New Covenant only abates the Rigour of the Old one, and ſo diſcovers an eaſier way to obtain Bleſſedneſs. But it is certain that the Terms of the Law-Covenant muſt be fully anſwered for us, elſe we can never be Juſtify'd, and conſequently not Saved. Hence that plumb Aſſertion of our Saviour, Matth. 5.17, 18. Turnk not that I am come to deſtroy the law or the proſ…ets: I am not come to deſtroy but to fa…. For v…th I ſay unto you, Till heaven and earth …ſs, one y… or one tittle ſhall in no wiſe paſs from the law, till all be fulfilled. The New Covenant is built upon the Old One, and provides a remedy againſt the Miſery contracted by the breach of it. If fallen Man obtain Life & Salvation, it muſt be by a Righteouſneſs which gives compleat Satisfaction to the Law; for though it brings in Mercy, yet it Ratifies the Juſtice of God, Pſal. 85.10. Mercy & Truth are … together: Righteouſneſs & Peace have kiſſed each other. Rom. 3.26. To declare, I ſay, at this time his righteouſneſs: that he might be juſt, and the juſtifier of him which beli…veth in Jeſus. Only there is this difference, that demanded a Perſonal Righteouſneſs, but this hath made way for the Acceptance of a Relative one, by which our whole Obligation to the Law muſt be Anſwered, all our Debts diſcharged, and the handwriting that was againſt us be cancelled: So that till we have a good claim to ſuch a Righteouſneſs, we abide under the Law.
[2.] HENCE the Law is revived, ſince the diſcovery of the New Covenant, for gracious Ends. The Law is to be Preached under the Goſpel, and that both as a Covenant, and a Rule of Obedience; and therefore we find it ſo inculcated, not only in the Old Teſtament, which yet was a diſpenſation of Grace, but in the New Teſtament too, both by Chriſt himſelf, and his Apo…es. And there are more eſpecially theſe …ce things aimed at in it, all of which do carry in them a diſcovery of the Grace of God; for which reaſon the Apoſtle tells us, Gal 3.19. Wherefore then ſerveth the law? it was added becauſe of tranſgreſſions, till the ſeed ſhould come, … whom the promiſe was made.
1. TO convince fallen Man of his …reſent …ſerable State. Conſideration is the firſt ſtep to Converſion, Ezek. 18.28. He conſidereth and …eth —. Without which Converſion there is no Salvation to be expected by Him, according to Matth. 18.3. Except ye be converted, and be… as little children, ye ſhall not enter into the kingdoms of Heaven. And the Law as a Covenant, is a proper help to this, becauſe it is a Glaſs in which the Man may ſee his own Na…al Face, and read his preſent Condition. Hence we are told what is the proper uſe of the law, in reſpect of all Mankind ſince the Apoſtaſy, Rom. 3.20. For by the law is the knowledge of ſin. Now there is a double reſpect in which the Law offers to fallen Man this Conviction;
(1.) IN regard of the Curſe that is upon him. And this it doth by vertue of the Sanctions put to it as a Covenant; which diſcovers to the Sinner his true State. It tells him that he is a Man of Death, held under the Sentence of it; and that if he ſo abides he cannot eſcape the Vengeance of Hell. It lays open before him all thoſe fearful Curſes, that are written in the Book of God; and aſſures him, that they muſt all fall upon him in their Weight, if no deliverance be afforded him. It declares to him the Holineſs, and the Juſtice of God, which ſtand firmly engaged to proſecute the Sinner for his Sin, and ſo confirms to him the Truth of that, Heb. 10.31. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. It alſo laveth open to him the Terribleneſs of thoſe Penalties, and how intollerably Miſerable he muſt needs be, if he falls under the ſtro…k of Divine Revenge; and beſpeaks him from God, as Ezek. 22.14. Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands he ſtrong in the days that I ſhall deal with thee? I the Lord have ſpoken it, and …i…d…, it. And what more Potent Argument can there be to rouſe a ſecure Sinner to make ſolemn enquiry, whether there be no way to obtain a deliverance.
(2.) IN regard of his own utter Impotency, by himſelf, to ſatisfy the ſ…emands of Juſtice, and eſcape the …xecution of the Sentence which is out againſt him. And this is done by the Precept it ſelf, as it ſtands in the Covenant; and aſſures the Man what is Neceſſary in order to his Salvation, if ever he obtains it. It lays out the Law to him in it's Breadth, and a right Conſideration of it will potently Convince him that he is altogether without Strength: It tells him, thus the Law ſaith, and it will make no Abatement; but if in the leaſt Point he fails, he is gone: and his own natural Conſcience tells him, that if the Matter be ſo, there's nothing but Deſpair that lies before him, nothing but a fearful expectation of fiery Indignation to devour him: Hence he cries out, Pſal. 132.3. If thou, Lord, ſhouldſt mark iniquities: O Lord, who ſhall ſtand? And, 143.2. And en…er not into judgment with thy ſervant: for in thy fight ſhall no man living be juſtified. And till the Sinner comes to this, he reſts ſecure, and no ways concerned for himſelf; but now he is put in Fear: Hence that, Rom. 7.9. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, ſin revived, and I died.
2. TO make way for his ready entertainment of the Goſpel Offer of CHRIST, and Salvation, by Him. And this is a proper and rational Reſultancy from the former; for Man hath a Natural craving after Happineſs, and reluctancy againſt Miſery. When therefore the Man is under ſuch a Reſentment, the News of Succour offered him, is a Cordial to him; it puts Hope into him, and ſets him on enquiring after it: It is a Rock riſing out of the Ocean to one ready to be Engulphed. Hence we read in, Zech. 9.11. As for thee alſo, by the blood of thy covenant, I have ſent forth thy priſoners out of the pit, wherein is no water. The Goſpel is in it ſelf the Glad Tidings of great Joy; but it is ſo accounted by none but ſuch as are diſtreſt with the Apprehenſion of the Miſery lying upon them. Our Saviour tells us in, Matth. 9.12. They that be whole need not a phyſician, but they that are ſick. And it is by this means that Sinners are made Sick unto Death, who before were Well in their own Opinion, and ſtood in need of nothing.
3. TO direct the People of God in the Matter of their New-Obedience. And this refe… to the Law as it is a Rule of Living. The Law indeed doth… of tell Fallen man how he may ſo Obey it, as to Pleaſe God, and promote his Salvation thereby, that being proper to the G…: But the Matter of Moral Buty is … tained in the Law, which tells us what is Duty, and what is Sin; and accordingly what is required of as, if we would Live and Pleaſe God. And … we muſt have Grace from, and Acceptance thro' Chriſt; yet the things by which we are to teſtify our Obedience are pointed to in this; and therefore David declares, Pſal 11….10…. Thy word in a lamp unto my ſ…e…, an, and g…t unto my path. And to Neglect theſe things, or to do contrary to them, is Sin in a Believer, as well as in an Unregenerate Man; tho' the law requites them to be P…rſect and without Flaw, whereas the Goſpel accepts of Sincerity, and covers Imperfections under the Robe of CHRIST'S Righteouſneſs.
THESE things thus premiſed we may now preceed to conſider the CASE it ſelf, as it is here laid down; in which Man's hope on the Account of Legal Obedience is utterly Caſhiered, and found woſully ſhort of Happineſs, by reaſon of this I ſufficiency of his To ſnow that he cannot, and the reaſon why he cannot be Saved by the Law, but muſt look ſomewhere alſo for it, if he hopes to obtain it;
THIS Anſwer contains one fundamental Article in the Chriſtian Religion, neceſſary to be Believed by all thoſe that would have a good Hope to obtain Salvation by Jeſus Chriſt.
THE thing under Conſideration, is, Man's w…ful want of Ability to comport with the Terms of the Fuſt Covenant, by reaſon of his Moral Impotency. And we may take a diſtinct Account of the ſeverals contained in it, which may ſerve to humble us out of our own Self-Sufficiency, and make us to put a high Value upon the Redemption purchaſed for us by Chriſt.
1. WE may obſerve, the Limitation which is here put to the Aſſertion, in theſe words, No meet Man ſince the Fall in this Life. And there are thoſe Diſtinctions contained in theſe Words, which muſt be warily obſerved, elſe we ſhall labout of Miſtakes:
(1.) NO meer Man: This is put in to exempt our Lord Jeſus Chriſt from this Charge. He was a Man, for ſo He is called; an… we are told h…. He came to be ſo; and that it He had not ſo been, He could not have ſtood as …r S…r …, and anſwered the Demands of the … for us: And therefore theſe …, are P…t to other, Gel …. But when the fulneſs of the time was come, God ſent forth his S…n made of a … man, ma…e under the Law. But then He was not a meer Man; He had an ther Nature which was …e, and in His Perſon He was the S…n of God; into an Uni…n with which Perſon of this, He aſſumed our Human Nature, … was ſwallowed up in it. Now though Chiſt in …r Nature was under the Law, yet He was … …a… breaker; and tho' He took on Him all our other Infirmities, yet that of Sin was excepted, …eb. 4.15. For we have not an high prieſt which cannot be touched …h the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without ſin. That the Guilt of Sin was to far Charged upon him, that He was made to ſiſter the Penalty due to it by the Law, is certain. Hence that, 2 Cor. 5.21. For he hath made him to be ſin ſ…r us, who knew no ſin; that we might be made the righteouſneſs of God in …m But this was by Imputation, and not by Communication of Sin to Him, from which He was pure; elſe he could not have made His Soul an Offering for our Sin. Hence we are told, Heb 7.26. For ſuch an high prieſt became us, who is holy, harmleſs; undefiled, ſeparate from ſinners. And His ſpotleſs Integrity is every where aſſerted in the Holy Writ; for which reaſon He is enti…uled the Holy One of Iſrael. And ſaid to be, a Lamb without Blemiſh. He had neither the ſtain of Original Sin cleaving to Him; nor was He ever contaminated with any actual Breach of God's Holy Law. It was therefore meet that He ſhould be thus excepted; but is for the Virgin Mary, or any other of the moſt Holy of the Saints, they had not this Privilege; and the aſcribing …t to them, is not only Precarious, but …ej… hem us.
(2.) SINCE the …ad: And herein our Firſt Parents in their Primitive State of Integrity are exempted. And there was alſo need of inſerting this, that ſo we may be led to the Contemplation of the proper blameable Cauſe of the Impotency that Fallen Man labours under; that it was not the Condition of Man's Nature, as he came firſt out of God's hand, but that it was brought upon him by the Apoſtacy: and therefore it not only points us to the Time when it began, viz. on the Apoſtaſy; but alſo the precurirg Cauſe of it, which was Man's Fall. Our Firſt Parents therefore had at Firſt a Power lodged in them, by which they might have perfectly Obeyed the Law of God: We are therefore aſſured in, Eccl 7.29. God hath made man upright, but they have ſought out many inventions. God therefore Created Man after His Image, which was a ſtamp of Original Sanctity on all His Powers, furniſhing them for the Obedience which He demanded of them: And it muſt needs be ſo, becauſe in the Firſt Covenant, the Rule of Relative Juſtice between God and fallen Man was eſtabliſhed, and Man by it was given to underſtand what he was to …ap…t from a Righteous God. Now it is indiſputable that when a Creature is brought under ſuch herms, it is Equity that the Creature have in it a power to Comport with them; how elſe ſhall he deſerve Blame and Penalty upon his falling ſhort in his Conformity to the Rule that was ſo preſcribed to him? It cannot be ſuppoſed tha… Creature's Fault, and expoſe it to Puniſhment if it would fain do it's Duty, but is nece… to come behind it, becauſe it never had th… Power beſtowed upon it to enable it thereunto So that it is very certain, that whatſoever In ſufficiency fallen Man now Labours of, yet … was not ſo from the Beginning, but is come in ſince that, and he is himſelf become Guil… … of it, which expoſeth him to ſuſter juſtly. And this ariſeth from the Apoſtaſy, in and by which Man put away this power from himſelf, and ſo loſt that Image that was concreated on him; ſo that tho' he is now without Strength yet this cannot excuſe him from Guilt, or diſcharge him from puniſhment, becauſe once he had this power, but loſt it by his own default, Eccl. 7.29. And it is a great Truth, that as the whole Species of Mankind, was contained in our firſt Parents, who were the root of that kind; ſo when they loſt this power, they loſt it not only to themſelves, but to all their Poſterity, who derive from them by Natural Generation, as hath been already proved in the proper place. But ſtill, the Law hath…d minar over them, and it is their Sin, as well as their Miſery, that they cannot ſerve God, with Univerſal and perfect Obedience.
(3.) IT is in this Life: And this exempts the Glorified Saints. It is a Title put upon the Seals of the Godly, when they are gotten free from their Mortal Bodies, Heb. 12.23. — The ſprits of juſt men made perfect. And it is the Privilege of all ſuch as are arrived to the ſtate of Glory, that they ſhall Sin no more, but be perfected in Holineſs. Hence it is ſaid concerning all ſuch, Eph. 4.13. Till we all come in the a…ry of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man —. And its is certain, that a ſtate of perfect Glory is inconſiſtent with any of the remains of Sin in thoſe who are made to partake therein: for without perfect Holineſs, there can be no perfect Bleſſedneſs; and as long as they carry about with them the relicts of Sin, they will have occaſion to cry out of their wretchedneſs, Rom. 7.24. O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from the body of this death! Tho' there is a freedom from Sin in point of Guilt & Condemnation, afforded to all thoſe who are gotten into the New Covenant, according to that in, Rom. … 1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Chriſt Jeſus. On which account it is given to encourage true Believers here, Rom. 6.14. For ſin ſhall not have demition over you: for ye are not under the late, but under grace. And we have that wonderful & precious word declared of ſuch, Numb 2….21. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath be ſeen perverſeneſs in Iſrael. Yet as to the preſence and inbeing of Sin, it is certain that that remains in all, whilſt they are in their Mi-Etant State; and the Beſt muſt needs confeſs themſelves to be ſinful men: And it is no ſmall part of the Exerciſe they are under, to be maintaining a warfare againſt it: For all this while, that is a Truth, Gal. 5.17. For the fleſh …ſteth againſt the Spirit, an the Spirit againſt the fleſh: and theſe are contrary the one to the …her; ſo that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But Jeruſalem above is free, the glorious Inheritance admits not the leaſt Defilement into it, Rev. 21.27. And doubtleſs this ſtands as a great encouragement to the faithful Servants of Chriſt: that tho' for the preſent they are exerciſed with the law in their Member which too often is ſo hard upon them, that it … them into Captivity; that it ſhall not be thus always: but there is a time coming when all Sin ſhall be deſtroyed in to … and they ſhall glorify God forever without any the leaſt reluctancy or default.
II. WE may in the next place obſerve, The Comprehenſion, or the Extent of this Aſ…ertion; and that extends to all the reſt of Mankind, whithout any further exception. It is the deſign of all genuine Limitation, to engroſs all elſe of the kind under them, elſe they cannot be true; and that it is ſo here, the Word of God will plentifully aſſure us, and that both with reſpect to Perſons & Trues. And we may a little conſider the Evidence of this, before we come to clear up the thing it ſelf which is aſſerted: And for that end I ſhall only offer ſome general Scripture Truths, which will make it evident, that all Mankind, beſides thoſe excepted, are included, and make way for the Demonſtration of the Truth it ſelf. Here then,
1. THAT all Mankind have their in-Being in Adam Originally. If we would take a right ſcantling of this Affair, we muſt follow it up hither. God ſaw meet to make all Men of one blood, and therefore he did not, as he did by the Angels, make them all at once, and put them individually under the trial of their Obedience. But as he made Adam to be the firſt Father of all, ſo he conſtituted him their Head in the Covenant-tranſaction. And hence the Promiſe and Threatning equally included him, and his Poſterity with him; ſo that they were to ſtand or fall in him: and this is ſufficiently evident from the Word of God, which will appear if we conſider,
2. HENCE all that were to derive from him by Natural Generation, did upon the first coming of Sin into the World by him, derive it from him. And becauſe all Men, Chriſt only excepted, are born in this way, they muſt needs be included, becauſe they were in his Covenant. If there were any that could except themſelves from this way they could not be concerned in it; but becauſe there are none, this muſt needs be their condition; hence if this be the condition of all ſuch, it ſaith that all were thus in him; and this we have full proof for: Nor can there be a more full & clear evidence of this, than what the Apoſtle lays down with the fulleſt comprehenſion under it, Rom. 5.12. Wherefore as by one man ſin entred into the word, and death by ſin; and ſo death paſſed upon all men, for that all have ſinned. And for that reaſon he elſe-where ſaith, 1 Cor. 15.22. In Adam all die, even ſo in Chriſt ſhall all be made olive. Whatſoever therefore is comprehended in the threat… of the firſt Covenant, in caſe of tranſgreſſion, was brought upon them by that tranſgreſſion of his, and equally belongs to them, as to him. This indeed belongs only to that firſt Sin of his, wherein he acted as a publick Perſon, and as all Mankind did tranſact in him, for it was by that Sin of his, that the trial of Mans Obe… ence was determined, and the threatning of the Covenant took place, and laid held on them and bound them and r…rder re…n A… to the: Juſtice and Equity of this we formerly took a… … u… ſ…hat, when we conſidered of Man's … but that the thing is ſo, we are … from the Word of Truth.
3. THAT this Sin luſt to Men the Image of God, and there… his power of Obedience. It is true, … Death threatned, contained in it the codemnation under which Man Fell: by whi…; we are allured, Rom. 2.19. That every … …he…r God. But it alſo included in it the leſs of the Sanctification of his Nature, which conſiſted in the Image of God; which we are aſſured comprehended in it, both Righteouſneſs and true …neſs, Eph. 4 22, 24. And this Loſs came in as a Penalty of the Luſt Tranſgreſſion, and is not the leaſt part of that Miſery which befell Man … his Fall: and if All by that Sin, … come … it clears God's Righteouſneſs juſt …li…g it upon All; and it is in vain to peſter …r M…nds about the enquiry. How, or after what manner it deriveth unto us? And that he hereby loſt his Power of Obedience is certain, as well come to be proved in the Vindication of the Aſſertion: I here only aſſert, that this is is the Condition of All Mankind, and ſo is Univerſal.
4. THIS Sin alſo ſubjected him to be filled with curſed & crooked Principles of Rebellion … God and His holy Law. That this alſo was a proper fruit of the Tranſgreſſion, and came in as a Penalty, is no leſs evident than the former: How or after what manner this was put into him? is to be as ſoberly enquired into, as the former, leſt we reflect Diſhonour upon God; but that there are ſuch Principles in all Men by Nature ſince the Fall, is fully aſſerted in the Word of God: Hence that, Gen. 6.5. Every imagination of the thoughts of … heart was only evil continually. And that it was not ſo at Firſt is equally true; and alſo it is verified by Experience; and there are none of the Children of Men, who do a… diſcover this to be ſo, as ſoon as they come to have the uſe of their Moral Powers.
5. THAT no Man daring this Life, is freed from this inf…l Es;tate, ſo as to be able perfectly to Obey the Law of God. Why it is ſo, will come to he conſidered afterwards; but that it is ſo, is here to he obſerved, and well appled in our Thoughts. Here then let us ob…, that there are Two ſorts of Men, to one whereof every one in this Life doth belong, … the Unregenerate, and the Regenerate; thoſe that are under …he Law, and thoſe that are under … An! the Aſſertion in our Catechiſ… … greſſ…th both of them; as we ſhall in the next place take a partcular Account of.
1. AS to the Unregenerate, they are under the Carſe, Gal 3 10. …r… as many …s are of the works of the … a…: under the carſe: for it is written, Curſed is every one that …ntina… in all things … are written in the … of the … to ſo them. And this is one … …nal frait of the Curſe, that they are and … the Dominion of Sin. an conſequently they are Servants of Unrighteouſneſs, and ſo are altogether free from Righteouſneſs, as the Apoſtle intimates, in Rom. ….20. The meaning whereof is, that they had no Principle of Holineſs in them; and is Expounded in Chap. 7 10. For I know that in me, (that is in my ſleſ…) dicel'eth no good thing. Which muſt be true of them that are nothing but Fleſh; which is the State of every Man before Converſion: And when we come to conſider what is the Efficacy of indwelling and reigning Sin in the Children of Men, it will give us a full Demonſtration of this Truth. Well might Joſl us ſay when he treated with them, Joſh. 24.10. Te cannot ſerve the Lord. And it is a plump Aſlertion concerning ſuch, Rom. 8.8. They that are in the fleſh cannot pleaſe God.
2. AS to the Regenerate; It is not to be denied, but that they have a New Principle of Sanctifying grace in them, whereby they are wrought to a Conformity to the Will of God: Sin is dethroned, and their Enmity and Rebellion is ſubdued, and they have a Party in them which ſincerely Serves God: But ſtill there are in them the woful Remains of Original Sin, being renewed but in Part, Sanctification being for the preſent Pregreſive in them, and what influence this hath into the debaſing and allaying their Beſt Services, will be made very Convictive in the ſequel; and this is that we are next to paſs over to: Only for the preſent. Let us entertain This as an awful Truth: And let it ſerve to humble us out of our Self ſufficiency, and drive us to ſeck and ſcure a Righteouſneſs-which will ſtand us in ſtead in that Day, when we muſt appear before the Judgment Seat of CHRIST.
[JUNE 25. 1706]