185 / 652
brsc.
III.}
LAW AND T'HE
GOSPEL.
175
'3.
Let
us
come to positive laws,
i.
e.
such rites, and
forms, or
ceremonies,
as
are appointed
by
the
mere
free-
will
of
God, for
particular
purposes
;
such
as sacrifices,
circumcision, washings, baptism, the
Lord's-
supper,
&c.
These cannot justify
us,
because
it
is
not
in
the power
of
any positive rites
or
ceremonies we can perform,
to make
up
for
the neglect
of
moral duties, or the violation
of
moral commands.. They
were never given
for
this
end,
nor
appointed
for this
purpose.
Heb.
x.
1,
2,
4.
It
is
not
possible
that
the
blood
of
bulls
and
goats
should take
away
sins.
Nor
can circumcision
cut
off
the
vices
of
the heart.
Nor
can any
baptism
wash us
from
our spiritual
defilements.
Nor
can
the Lord's-
supper
give us
spiritual
life and
nourishment.
It
is
not outward
ptrformances.of
any
kind can
stand
instead of real
holiness,
much
less
can they
answer
for our
past
iniquities.
No
law
of
commandments, written
in
ordinances, can
give
righte-
_ousness
and
life to a sinful
creature;
for they
were
never
ordained
for
that
end.
Quest.
What
were they
ordained
for then?
Answ.
1.
To
shew us
what
sinful
and
defiled
creatures
we
are,
who
have
need
of
such
washings,
&c.
and to
give
intimations
that
we
are worthy of death,
who
need
uch sacrifices
by
the
death
of
so
many living
creatures,
to make
atonement
for
our
sins,
and
to
die
in
onr
room?
Answ.
2.
To
give
some typical hints
that
there
is
grace to
be
obtained of God, and there
is
a
way
for
atone-
ment
for
sin
and salvation
provided for sinful
man.
4.
The last reason
why no
laws
can
justify
or
save
fallen man
is
this
:
viz.
All laws,
whether moral or po-
sitive, may
command,
but
they give
no
power
to obey,
and
therefore
cannot
give
life.
It
is
the promise
that
gives
life.
It
is
the gospel
and
grace
of
God that en-
ables
us
to
obey the
law,
even
so
far
as
the best
of
men
do
obey
it
in
this
life.
The
law
commands,
but
it gives
no
strength
to
obey
;
Rom.
v.
6. 1iyhea we
were
without
strength Christ
died
for
us,
to
obtain
life
and strength,
to yield
obedience
to
the
law
from principles
of
faith and
love.
It
is
the
gospel that
brings
spirit
and
life
with
it,
to
incline
our hearts
to obey the
law.
Gal.
iii.
2.
1?e-
ceired ye
the
spirit
by
the works
of
the
law,
or
by
the
,hearing
offaith
!
Heb.
viii.
10.
This
is
the
covenant
that
L will
makeafter
.those
days,
I
will
put
my
lace's
into
their
mind,
and write.them
in
their
hearts.