in the Ep f ler of S. Paul, &c. 491 'unified before God, they do fo by the Imputation of the Righteoufnefs of Chrift unto them, or let force other way be aligned. In the other fide of the inftance concerning Ifrael force muff hear whether they will or not, that wherewith they are not pleafed. Three things are expreffed of them; i. Their Attempt. 2. Their Succefs. 3. The Reafon of it. Their Attempt or Endeavour was in this, that they followed after the Law of Righteoufnefr. Aosx,co, the word whereby their endeavour is expreffed, lignifies that which is earneft, dili- gent and fincere. By it cloth the Apoílle declare what his was, and what ours ought to be in the Duties and Exercife of Gofpel Obedience, Phil. 3. t 2. They were not indulgent in this matter, but infrantly ferved God day and night. Nor were they Hypocritical; for the Apoftle bears them record in this matter, that they had a zeal of God, Chap. to. 2. And that which they thus endeavoured after was O,ut- d i 4owfds the Law of Righteoufnefr. That Law which prefcribed a perfeel perfonal Righteoufnefs before God ; the things which if a man do them, he fhall live in them , Chap. io. 5.. Wherefore the Apoftle hath no other ref-pea unto the Ceremonial Law in this place, but only as it was branched out from the Moral Law by the Will of God, and as the Obedience unto it belonged thereunto. When he fpeaks of it feparately he calls it the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances, but it is no where called the Law of Righteoufnefs, the Law whole Righ- teoufnefs is fulfilled inus,Chap.8.4. wherefore their following after this Law of Righteoufnefs, was their diligence in the performance of all Duties of Obedience , according unto the Dire &ions and Precepts of the Moral Law. 2. The Ole of this attempt is, that they attained not unto the Law of Righteoufnefs ; áss vn,uov chscolo6raúns úw 49tcas that is , they attained not unto aRighteoufnefs before God hereby. R r r Though
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