fore Act 7.38
Lev. 18.5
Ezek. 20.13
Neh. 9.29are not to be understood absolutely of the Law, but as it was separated from Christ and the Gospell, of men who did rest in the Law, and sought to be justified by it: whereas Christ was the end of the Law, which the Jewes not perceiving, they erred from the truth, and perverted the true sence and scope of the Law. For the ministery of Moses, as it is referred to the mind and counsell of the Lord, is bright and illustrious: but the carnall people could not behold that brightnesse, and therefore the Law is vailed to the carnall Jew, that he cannot behold the light that shineth therein. 2 Cor. 3.15,16.Even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vaile is upon their heart. Neverthelesse, when it shall turne unto the Lord, the vaile shall be taken away. That is, when Israel shall be turned unto the Lord, the vaile shall be taken away, that in the law it selfe they may see Christ, whom now being blind by reason of their indurate mind, they could not see. For there was a double vaile drawne over their eyes, the first of hatred against Christ, the second of the Law it selfe, in which Christ was revealed, but not so clearely as in the Gospell: Isa. 25.7
Rom. 4.15.
& 3.20. & 7.9.which double vaile shall be taken away, when they shall be converted unto Christ. The Law worketh wrath, and discovereth sinne: yea reviveth it. What the Apostle speaketh of the Law, in these and other above rehearsed passages, is to be understood of the whole Jewish pedagogie, viz. the Law Morall and Ceremoniall as it was given by Moses. And as here, the Law is said to worke wrath, and terrifie: so Psal. 19.7,8,9.
& 119.47.elsewhere it is said to cause the soule to returne, to enlighten the eyes, and rejoyce the heart. Of necessity for the reconciliation of these sayings of the Prophet and Apostle in shew contrary, Beza in Rom. 2.27.
Calv. in 2 Cor. 3.17.
Col. 2.13
The ceremonies are visible words preaching Christ, and they preached our guilt, and wrath belonging unto us.it must be granted that the Law animated by Christ is pleasant and delightfull, but as it is barely considered in opposition to Christ and to the Gospell, as it exacteth perfect obedience, but giveth no ability or power to performe what is required, it woundeth, terrifieth, killeth and worketh wrath.
Of the Law there is a twofold use and consideration. One as it is a rigid exactor of intire obedience, and hand-writing against us for sinne, and thus of it selfe barely considered, it woundeth, but healeth not, it reviveth sinne, but mortifieth it not. The other, as it pointeth to Christ in whom Salvation is to be found, and directeth how to walke in all well-pleasing before the Lord: and thus it is an easy yoke. The Law considered without Christwoundeth,
