Notes: Sect. 5. — Antinomian objections answered.
Notes: Sect. 5. — Antinomian objections answered.
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We would have no need for the law written outside us, if — as we are spiritual in part, in respect to the sanctification begun in us — we were perfectly and altogether spiritual, both in body and soul. But that is not to be expected till the resurrection; that is when what is now “sown a natural body, is raised a spiritual body,” 1Cor. 15.44; being re-united to the spirit or soul “made perfect at death;” Heb. 12.23 — therefore, from the moment of death, it no longer needs the law written outside it.
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And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, (Heb 10:24)
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That is, respecting believers.
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Written.
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They do not have the law written completely and perfectly in their hearts.
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This Antinomian principle, That it is needless for a man, perfectly justified by faith, to endeavour to keep the law and do good works, is a glaring evidence that legality is so engrained in man’s corrupt nature, that until a man truly comes to Christ by faith, the legal disposition will still be reigning in him, let him turn himself into whatever shape, or be of whatever principles he will in religion. Even though he runs into Antinomianism, he will carry along with him his legal spirit, which will always be a slavish and unholy spirit. He is constrained, as the author observes, to do all that he does for fear of punishment, and hope of reward; and once it is fixed in his mind that these have ceased in his case, he stands still like a clock when the weights that made her go are removed, or like a slave when he is in no hazard of the whip — there can be no greater evidence of loathsome legality than this.