118 An Expofition upan Chap.4 thefe two are fo contrary, that if merit begranted,beleeving is clean defiroyed; and ifbelcefe be taken away, then the promife vanifheth ; the promife and the law, workes and favour in this cafe of júftification, cannot agree together, as Kom.4 4. T i M. What it meant by them which be of the Low? Sc L. This phrafe in Scripture fig - nifieth two things : Fir{l, by them of the law, is meant the Jewes which are circumcifed, to whom the law was gi- ven. Secondly, fuch aschallenge and claims falvation by merit of workes or upon condition to fulfill the law, fo it -is taken here : now the law thus taken for merit of workes, doth fiippofe a debt, and deftroyeth grace, being quite oppofite to the promife. T IM. What is meant by this, that faith is vaine and the promife void? Si r,. That is to fay, faith fhould be required of us in vaine, and the pro- mile ofGod made in vaine, if the inhe- ritance of heaven came by workes: but it mecca very abfurd and wicked thing to fay thus, as appeareth by thefe rea- fons. Firfb,.becaufe God loth nothing in vaine. Secondly, becaufe none can in any wife keepe that condition of ful- filling the law: therefore the promife of grace and faith,be moll needful'and neceffary ; without which, our mind would alwayes be full of difruff, the law being unpofìble. Ti M. But if Law and the promit hefocontrary, that the putting off the one deft roye:htbeotber, bow ii it that God bath annexed fo many promi fes to the law? S t L. There is a difference to be put between the pr omifes of the Law and of theGofpell;for the promifes of the be of remiffion of fins, juflification, the holy Ghoff,faivation : thefe are not made to the law (that is) on this condi- tion,to keep the law perfe&ly,or elfe not to have them, becaufe then there promi- fes fhonld be void, feeing none fulfill the law, & fo we fhould ever be doubt - full. T I M. What is the fecond reafoss why the fulfilling of the Law is no condition of the prctniJ ? S t a. It is taken from an evident ef- fe& of theLaw through our default,not of the Law it felfe,as thus; the Law se- cufeeh us or pronounceth us guilty of wrath, that is, of punifhment: therefore remifftonoffinnes and falvation, is not from the Law ; for we cannot be faved by that which condemneth us ; and pu- nifhment is repugnant to the inheri- tance and prontife. T t se. Pow commeth it that the Law condemnetb ur to ,punifhment ? St L. re:nugh ourtranfgreflion and breaking of it, whereby we fall into the wrath of God:for there muff needs be tranfgretliion where there is a Law, be- caufe mans corruption cannot obferve it; and where there is tranfgrelflon there mutt needs be wrath ; and fìtch as are fubje& to wrath and vengeance,are voyd of eternall life : therefore the A- polle reafoneth well, that the inheri- tance is not by fulfilling the Law, be- caufe the Law caufeth wrath by revea- ling it,and declaring us guilty of it, in- fomuch as we have broken the Law. T t M. What worketh this in men; that the Law caufeth wrath ? S t L. In wicked men it worketh a hatred ofGod,and caufeth them to fiye from him,and lrive againft him: but in the cleft it leadeth them to Chrift,as the du cafe being felt driveth to the Phyfiti- an. T I M. What tip is there of this ? S i L. It ferveth firfi to reprove the Papiffs,who teach that eternall life may be merited by the workes of the Law, as one fhould fay ,th at life may be found in death, peace in wrath. Secondly, it reproveth ignorant Ghrifians,who at- tribute falvation to their good deeds, and ferving ofGod. Thirdly, it teach - eth the true bounds atad limits of the Law,that it was not given tojuftifie,and therefore that we fhould not leane to ; the Law for falvation :but having lear- ned and beenmade to feele by it, that !; we are under wrath thereby to dri- ven unto Chril our peace- maker, as the fenfe and fmart ofour wounds fends us to the Chirurgeon. DI A`:----
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