D'ISC': IV.]. LAW AND THE GOSPEL. 177 He willingly lets them bear him away fromGod : He is unwilling to obey ; and this is called a moral inability. Now God may require such duties by his law, as through the weakness of the flesh, and the strength of appetitè and passion in this frail state, man is morally or imme.. diately unable to perform, though he bath a remote or natural power. An infinitely holy God cannot but com- mand that we should never sin, never transgress the rule Of righteousness, never break his pure and holy law ; and yet, through the many infirmities of human nature, it is morally impossible we should perfectly keep this law, and live without sin. This Dr. Whitby himself; (as much as he indulges the Arminian sentiments) confesses in his comment. God doth not therefore lose his authority or right of commanding perfect obedience and perfect holiness, though man, by his folly and sin hath rendered his will averse to God, and his evil appetites and passions strong. and ungovernable : So that upon the whole, it is plain, " the law is holy," and " just, and good," and yet can- not pronounce any man righteous, nor judge him to eternal life. DISCOURSE IV THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LAW AND THE eOSPEL. GAL. ni. 21, 22. Is the law then against the promises of God ? God forbid : For if there had been a law given which çouid have given life, verily righteous- ness should have been by the law: But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise of faith by Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. THE SECOND PART. OBSERV. IV. Scripture `° hath concluded all mankind under sin, hath shut us all up as prisoners under con - .demnation. Here I have nothing to do, but to cite VOL. III, N
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