Sect. 2. — A threefold Law.
Sect. 2. — A threefold Law.
Evan. Indeed, in the Scriptures there is mention made of various laws, but they may all be comprised under these three heads: the Law of Works, the Law of Faith, and the Law of Christ; Rom. 3.27, Gal. 6.2; and, therefore, I ask you, tell me, when you say the law ought to be a rule of life to a believer, which of these three laws do you mean?
Nom. Sir, I do not know the difference between them; but this I know, that the law of the Ten Commandments, commonly called the Moral Law, ought to be a rule of life to a believer.
Evan. But the law of the Ten Commandments, or the Moral Law, may be said to be either the matter of the Law of Works, or the matter of the Law of Christ: and therefore I ask you to tell me, in which of these senses do you conceive it ought to be a rule of life to a believer?
Nom. Sir, I must confess, I do not know what you mean by this distinction; but this I know, that God requires every Christian to frame and lead his life according to the Ten Commandments; if he does this, then he may expect the blessing of God upon both his own soul and body; and if he does not, then he can expect nothing but God’s wrath and curse upon them both.
Evan. The truth is, Nomista, the law of the Ten Commandments, as it is the matter of the Law of Works, should not be a rule of life to a believer. But in what you said, you have affirmed that it ought to be; and therefore you have erred from the truth in this. And now, Antinomista, that I may also know your judgment, when you say the law should not be a rule of life to a believer, please tell me, what law do you mean?
Ant. Why, I mean the law of the Ten Commandments.
Evan. But do you mean that law, as it is the matter of the Law of Works, or as it is the matter of the Law of Christ?
Ant. Surely, sir, I conceive that the Ten Commandments are in no way to be a rule of life to a believer; for Christ has delivered him from them.
Evan. But the truth is, the law of the Ten Commandments, as it is the matter of the Law of Christ, ought to be a rule of life to a believer; and therefore having affirmed the contrary, you have also erred from the truth in this.
Nom. The truth is, sir, I must confess that I never took any notice of this threefold law which, it seems, is mentioned in the New Testament.
Ant. And I must confess, if I took any notice of them, I never understood them.
Evan. Well, let me tell you that so far as any man comes short of the true knowledge of this threefold law, he comes short both of the true knowledge of God, and of himself; and therefore I wish you both to consider it.
Nom. Sir, if it is so, then you may do well to be a means to inform us, and help us to the true knowledge of this threefold law; and therefore I ask you, first tell us what is meant by the Law of Works.