Question 40

Is not Gods secret Will the Rule of Mans obedience?

No.

How prove you that?

1. Because the Will of God as secret is a peculiar Treasure which he hath put in his own power, and will keep to himself.^a 2. Because a man may sometimes sin in fulfilling the secret Will of God, and be ashamed, repenting in dust and ashes that he hath done it.^b 3. Because all Creatures do this Will of God, and none ever resisted it.^c

Is the revealing of an event which God hath determined, or those Actions whereby that event shall be brought to pass, the Rule of Mans obedience?

No.^d

But are not Gods own positive and ceremonial Laws this Rule of Mans obedience?

No.

How prove you that?

1. Because they were so burdensome a yoke that neither we nor the Jews themselves were ever able to bear them.^e 2. Because they were never pleasing to God irrespectively of themselves, neither did he at all ever take delight in these Laws themselves simply considered.^f 3. Because these positive Laws were such, by which men should never obtain Eternal Life.^g

What Law then is that which is the Rule of Mans obedience?

The Moral Law.

Why is it so called?

Because it hath a perpetual binding power in all Ages unto the end of the world.

When was this revealed?

At first.

How understand you that?

Two waies. 1. This Law was at first given to Adam in Innocency, God having written it on his heart; some small remainders whereof abide yet in mans nature.^h 2. This Law was first revealed by Gods immediate voice, after written in Tables of Stone, and given to the Church as a perpetual Rule for their obedience.