Religion & morality > Human nature in its four-fold state ... in several practical discourses

Mans Original Righteoufnefs. 5
Secondly, Lay before you fome of the happy Con¬
comitants and Confequents thereof.
Laftly, Apply the whole.
O/Man’* Original Righteoafnefs.
Fir ft. As to the Righteoufnefs of this State, con¬
sider that, as uncreated Righceenfnefs, the Righ-
teoufnefs of God, is the fupreme Rule j fo all cre¬
ated Righteoufnefs, whether of Men or Angels,
hath Refpeft to a Law as its Rule, and is a Con¬
formity thereunto. A Creature can no more be
morally independent on God, in its A ft ions and
Powers; than it can be naturally independent on
him. A Creature, as a Creature, muft acknow¬
ledge the Creator’s Will as its fupreme Law; for
as it cannot be without him, fo it muft not be but
for him, and according to his Will: Yet no
Law obliges, until it be reveal’d. And hence it
follows, that there was a Law which Man, as a
rational Creature, was fubjefted to in his Crea¬
tion ; and that this Law was reveal’d to him. God
made Man upright, fays the Text. This prefup-
pofeth a Law, to which he was conform’d in his
Creation ; as when any Thing is made regular, or
according to Rule, of neceflity the Rule it felf is
prefuppofed. Whence we may gather, That this
Law was no other than the eternal, indijpenfible.
Law of Righteoufnefs, obferv’d in all Points by
the fecond Adam -, oppofed by the carnal Mind ;
fome Notions of which remain yet among the
Pagans, who, having not the Law, are a Law
unto themfelves, Rom. ii. 14. In a Word, This
Law is the very fame which was afterwards fum’d
up in the Commandments, and promulgate,
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