SER3s . V.1 OR THE MORAL LAW, ANT?, TH8 EVIL. OF, SrN., G. through all the writings ofthe OId and New Testament; and it may be found out in the plainest and most neces- sary parts of it, by the sincere arid diligent exercise of our own reasoning powers. It was written by the finger of God in tables of stone , it is written by the inspiration of God in the holy bible ; and it is written in thehearts and consciences of mankind by the God of nature.. The voice of God from heaven proclaimed this law, the voice of the prophets and apostles confirm it, and the voice of conscience, which is the vicegerent of God in the heart of man, speaks the same thing*. See Roca. ii. 1,4, 15. which must be thus explained. " When the gentiles,who have not the written law, are admonished by nature, and their own consciences, to do things contained in the written law, their hearts and reasoning powers are a natural law to themselves, which spews or discovers the work of the written law or ten commands impressed on their hearts; their very consciences bearing witness for or against themselves, and accusing, or excusing them, according as they have obeyed or broke that natural law within them. . The second general head of my discourse leads me to prove that this moral law is of universal and perpetual obligation to all mankind, even through all nations and all ages. The will of God their Maker concerning their conduct being revealed to them, ar laid within the reach of their knowledge, as I said before, becomes a law or rule of life to men. Now this moral law is so far disco- vered to all, whether Jews, gentiles, or christians, both by the light of reason, and by the writings of the Old and 46 That which is in the heart of man, is called the natural law, because it arises from our natural principles of reason ; that which was given at Sinai is more frequently termed the written law : Both are called the mo- ral law, yet with these few differences. I. The written law is more dear and express in ten particular commands; the natural law is more secret and less evident, especially among the greatest part of mankind. 2. The written lawwas a more peculiar favour of God given to the Jewish nation; the natural law lies within the reach of all men whose consci- ences are not grossly blinded ór hardened by sin. 3. The natural law contains nothing but moral 'precepts or rules of life to men as intelligent, sensible, and sociable creatures ; the written law includes in it something ceremonial, that is, the seventh day sabbath, and other modes of expres- sion peculiar to theJewish state and people. But the grand requirements and the design of. both these are the same, as appears in many.scripturess especially Rona. u. 14, 15. r3
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