Notes: Sect. 2. — The law of the Ten Commandments a rule of life to believers.
Notes: Sect. 2. — The law of the Ten Commandments a rule of life to believers.
320
Calling the Ten Commandments but the substance of the law of nature, he plainly intimates that they were not the whole of that law, but that the law of nature had a penal sanction. Compare his speaking of the same Ten Commandments still as the substance of the Law of Works, and of the Law of Christ, pages 170, 171. Indeed, he is not of the opinion that a penal sanction is inseparable from the law of nature. That would put the glorified saints and confirmed angels in heaven (to say nothing more) under a penal sanction too; for without question, they are, and will remain forever, under the law of nature. The truth is, the law of nature is suited both to the nature of God, and to the nature of the creature; and there is no place for a penal sanction, where there is no possibility of transgression.
321
The Ten Commandments being the substance of the law of nature, a representation of God’s image, and a beam of his holiness, it is forever unalterably to be a necessary rule of life to mankind, in all possible states, conditions, and circumstances; nothing but the utter destruction of human nature, and its ceasing to be, could divest them of that office, since God is unchanging in his image and holiness. Hence, being a rule of life to Adam and his posterity, they had no dependence on their becoming the Covenant of Works; but they would have been that rule, even if there had never been any such covenant: indeed, whatever covenant was introduced, whether of works or grace, whatever form might be put upon them, it was still necessary that they remain the rule of life; no covenant, no form whatever, could ever prejudice their royal dignity. Now, it is not a hard question to determine whether this state of the matter, of their being the Covenant of Works — which was merely accessory to them, and might never have been at all — is the firmer foundation upon which to build their being a rule of life.
322
And would have been so always, to them all, till they had perfectly fulfilled that covenant, had believers not been divested of that form through Jesus Christ, their surety. They remain a rule of life to them, but not under the form of the Covenant of Works; but to unbelievers, they are and will still be a rule of life under that form.
323
And to them. One will not think it strange to hear that the Ten Commandments were as it were, razed out of man’s heart by the fall, if one considers the spirituality and vast extent of them; and that they were engraved on the heart of man in their perfection, in his creationl; and with that, they indicate the ruin brought on man by the fall. Hereby he indeed lost the very knowledge of the law of nature, if the Ten Commandments are to be reckoned (as certainly they are) the substance and matter of that law — although he did not lose it totally; some remains of it were left with him. Concerning these, the apostle speaks in Rom. 1.19, 20; and 2.14, 15. And our author teaches expressly that the law is partly known by nature; that is, in its corrupt state. See page 181. And here he does not simply say that the Ten Commandments were razed, though in another case (page 44) he speaks in that manner, where yet it is evident that he does not quite mean a razing; but he says, “They were, as it were, razed.” But what are these remains compared with that body of natural laws, fairly written, and deeply engraven, on the heart of innocent Adam? If they were not, as it were, razed, then what need is there to write a new copy in the hearts of the elect, according to the promise of the new covenant? “I will put my laws into their hearts, and I will write them in their minds,” Heb. 10.16, and 8.10; Jer. 31.33. What need was there to write them in the book of the Lord, the Bible, in which they were made known again to us, as they were to Adam and the believing fathers that the author speaks of, by visions and revelations? The latter were as necessary to them as the former are to us for that end, since these supplied them in the lack of the Scriptures. As for those who neither had these visions and revelations given to them, nor the doctrine taught by them communicated to them by others, it is manifest that they could have no more knowledge of those laws, than was to be found among the ruins of mankind in the fall.
324
As to delivering the Ten Commandments from the ark or the tabernacle, see the sense of it, and the Scripture ground for it, on page 74, note, and page 83, note.
325
See page 175, note.
326
The former, is the giver of the law, and the latter is the restorer of it.
327
“These words establish Christ as the only doctor and teacher of his church; the only one whom he had entrusted to deliver his truths and will to his people; the only one to whom Christians are to hearken,” Sup. to Poole’s Annot. on Mat. 17.5.
328
“Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands as to the Lord,” Eph. 5.22.
329
Whether or not this is sufficient to prove them to be the Law of Christ, having a divine, authoritative, binding power on men’s consciences, notwithstanding the term “doctrines” used here by the author, one may judge from these texts: Mat. 7.28, 29, “The people were astonished at his doctrine, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” — John 7.16, “My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me.” — Heb. 1.1-3, “God, who at sundry times, and in diverse manners, spoke in time past to the fathers, by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person,” etc. — Mat. 27.18-20, “All power is given to me in heaven and earth: go therefore, and teach all nations to observe all things whatever I have commanded you.” The original word in the Old Testament, rendered law, properly signifies a doctrine. Hence, Mat. 15.9, “Teaching for doctrines the commandments of men,” i.e., the laws and commands of men for the laws and commands of God. Compare verses 4-6.