To conclude, Let the grave and learned Dr. Edw. Reynolds, in his excellent treatise of the Use of the Lau\ determine this con- troversy betwixt us, p. 371, c^c. where designedly handling this doctrine from Hom. vii. 13. ' That the law was revived and pro- ' mulgated anew on mount Sinai, hythe ministry of Moses, with no ' other than evangelical and merciful purposes^ he abundantly con- firms my sense and arguments, and saves me the labour of refuting the principal, and most of yours : where carrying before him the whole context of Gal. iii. from the 15th to the 23d, he clearly carries his doctrine with it, proving from ver. 15. ' That God's ' covenant with Abraham was perpetual and immutable, 'and
* therefore all other subsequent acts of God (such as the giving of P 376 ' ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^) ^^ some way or other refer unto it. (2.)
' From V. 16. he further proves. That as God's cove-
* nant with Abraham is most constant, in regard of the wisdom and
* unvariableness of him that made it ; so it can never expire for p n>yw ' want of a seed to whom it is made. (3.) From ver. 17.
' he proves. That if another law be made after the ' promise, which, prima specie, and, in strict construction, doth 'imply a coutradiction in the terms, and nature of the former ' law ; then it is certain, that this latter law must be understood
VINDICIARUM VIXDEX. 5lt
* m some other sense, and admit of some otlier subordinate use, ' which may well consist with the being and force of the former co- ' venant. (4.) From ver. 18. he proves, that the coming of the ' law hath not voided the promise, and that the law is not of force
* (as you vainly dream) towards the seed to whom the promise is « made ; and therefore if it be not to stand in a contradiction, it
* follows that it must stand in subordination to the gospel ; and so ' tend to evangelical purposes."* (5.) He further proves his con- clusion from ver. 19. which shews for what end the law was added, Toocere^Tj. ' It was not (saith he) set up alone, as a thing in gross
* by itself; as an adequate, complete, solid rule of righteousness^
* as it was given to Adam in Paradise : much less was it published ' to void and disannul any precedent covenant ; but so far was it ' from abrogating, that it was added to the promise by way of sub-
* serviency, and attendance ; the better to advance and make cfFec-
* tual the covenant itself, and that until the seed should come, ' which, whether it respect Chnst personal, or mystical, in either
* sense (saith he) it confirms the point we are upon, viz. That the *• law hath evangelical purposes. If the seed be understood of the
* person of Christ, then this shews that the law was put to the ' promise, the better to raise and stir up in men the expectations
* of Christ, the promised seed. But if we understand by seed, the *■ faithful (which I rather approve;) then the apostle's meaning p <\^(\ ' ^^ \\\\'&^ That as long as any are either to come into
' the unity of Christ's body, and have the covenant of
* grace applied to them, d^c. so long there v.ill be use of the law, ' both to the unregenerate, to make them fly to Christ, and those
* that are already called, that they may learn to cast all their faith,
* hope, and expectation of righteousness upon him still. This then ' manifestly shews, that there was no other intention in publishing ' the law, but with reference to the seed : that is, with p ^^^ ' evangelical purposes to shew mei-cy : not with reference
* to those that perish, who would have had condemnation enough ' without the law.' And further strengthens his conclusion from the last words of ver. 19- * That it was ordained by angels in the
* hands of a Mediator. This (saith he) evidently declares. That ' the law was published in mercy and pacification, not in fury or
* revenge; (for the work of a Medmtor is to negotiate peace, and
* treat of reconcilement betwixt parties offended) whereas, if the ' Lord had intended death in the publishing of the law, lie would ' not have proclaimed it in the hand of a Mediator, but of an cxe-
* cutioncr. (6.) From ver. 20. Those words (saith he)
* shew why the law was pubHshed in the hand of a Me- P. 381.
* diator, viz. that they should not despair and sink under
' the fear of his wrath. For as he made a covenant of promise to
512 %'I'KLICIARUM VIXDEX.
* Abraham, and his seed ; so he is the same God still, one m his ' grace and mercy toMards sinners. God is one, i. e. in sending ' this Mediator, he doth declare to mankind, that he is at peace
* and unity with them again. oVfoses was the representative, and < Chnst the substantial and real Mediator. God is one,
« i. e. he carries the same purpose and intention both in P. 382.
' the law and in the gospel ; namely^ benevolence, and
' desire of reconcilement with men. (7.) To sum up all P. 384.
' that hath been spoken touching the use of the law in a
' plain similitude ; Suppose we a prince should proclaim a pardon
' to all traitors, if they should come in and plead it ; and after
' this should send forth his officers to attack, and imprison,
* examine, convince, arraign, threaten, and condemn them : Is ' he now contrary to himself.'' Hath he repented of his merc}^ ?
* No, but he is unwilling to lose his mercy, desirous to have the
* honour of his mercy acknowledged unto him. The same is the ' case between God and us. To Abraham he made a promise of ^ mercy and blessedness to all that would plead interest in it for the
* remission of their sins ; but men were secure and heedless of their ' state, <^c. Hereupon the Lord published by Moses a p qqk ' severe and terrible law ; yet in all this God doth but
' pursue his first purpose of mercy, and take a course to make his ' gospel accounted worthy of all acceptation ; which clears the
* general point. Thai God in the puhllcation of the law hy Moses, ' on mount Sinai, had iione hut merciful and evangelical intentions.
' And once more, The law was not published by Moses P. 386. ' on mount Sinai, as it was given to Adam in Paradise,
' to justify or to save men. And p. 385. it is not given, ' ex primaria intent'ione, to condemn men. In consequence to all ' which he saith, p. 388, 389. that to preach the law alone by
* itself, is to prevent the use of it ; neither have we any power or
* commission so to do. It was published as an appendant to the ' gospel, and so must it be preached. It was published in the ' hand of a Mediator, and must be preached in the hand of a Me-
* diator. It was published evangelically, and it must be so
See how this agrees now with p, 173. of your call, and how the several parts of discourse of this sound and eminent doctor (which I have been forced to sum up and contract) do abundantly confute your vain notions of the law, and cut the very nerves of your best arguments, if they had any nerves in them : for indeed it is moles absque nc7-vis.