.
Subsections
Natural
Positive
Judicial
Ceremonial
10 Commandments
Jurisprudence
Reformed vs. Aquinas
.
.
Order of Contents
Articles 6+
Book 1
Moral 7
Moral-Natural 2
Moral-Positive 2
Threefold Division 2
Uses of 3
Law & Gospel 5+
Evangelical Counsels 4
Latin 4
.
Articles
1200’s
Aquinas – questions 90-108 in 2nd part, part 1 of Summa
.
Anthology on the Post-Reformation
Heppe, Heinrich – ch. 13, ‘The Covenant of Works & the Righteousness of the Law’ in Reformed Dogmatics ed. Bizer, tr. Thomson (1950; Wipf & Stock, 2007), pp. 281-301
Contains excerpts and references from: Cocceius, Heidegger, Eglin, Martin, Maresius, Marck, Mastricht, Witsius, Braun, Olevian, Lampe, Amyraut, Wyttenback, Polanus, Wolleb & Ames.
.
1500’s
Melanchthon, Philip
The Loci Communes of Philip Melanchthon… tr. Charles L. Hill (1521; Boston: Meador Publishing, 1944)
6. ‘On Law’ 110
7. ‘On Divine Laws’ 117
11. ‘On Human Laws’ 130
14. ‘On the Power of the Law’ 154
20. ‘Summation: Law, Gospel, Faith’ 215
Though Melanchthon (1497–1560) was a Lutheran, this work of his was the first ‘systematic theology’ of the Reformation, and, as it was very influential on reformed systematic theologies following shortly thereafter.
Melanchthon, Philip – Article 5, Of Love & the Fulfilling of the Law in The Apology of the Augsburg Confession tr: F. Bente & W. H. T. Dau (1531)
No One Can Keep the Law Perfectly
Church Fathers and St. Paul Affirm Justification through Faith
Reply to the Adversaries’ Arguments
Passages the Adversaries Misuse
The Adversaries’ Teaching Based on Reason and the Law
Results of the Adversaries’ Teaching
Salvation Is by God’s Mercy
The Adversaries’ Other Arguments
Conclusion
Melanchthon on Christian Doctrine, Loci Communes, 1555 tr. Clyde L. Manschreck (1555; NY: Oxford Univ. Press, 1965)
ch. 7, ‘Of Divine Law’ 83-130
ch. 8, ‘Of the Distinction of Commandment & Counsel’ 130-41
Zwingli, Ulrich – ‘The Law’ in Commentary on True & False Religion eds. Jackson & Heller (1525; Labyrinth Press, 1981), pp. 137-38
Hamilton, Patrick – Patrick’s Places… (d. 1528; London: White, 1598)
‘The Doctrine of the Law’
‘The nature and office of the Law and of the Gospel’
‘A disputation between the Law and the Gospel: wherein is showed the difference or contrariety between them both’
‘The Doctrine of Works’
Works makes us neither good nor evil
Every man, and his works, are either good or evil
None of our works either save us or condemn us
The man is the Tree, his works are the fruit
He that thinks to be saved by his works, calls himself Christ
We should do no good works for the intent to get the inheritance of heaven, or remission of sins
Certain brief Notes or declarations upon the foresaid places
The order and differences of places
In the doctrine of the Law, three things to be noted
Errors and absurdities of the Papists touching the doctrine of the Law and of the Gospel
Three Cautions to be observed and avoided, in the true understanding of the Law
Hamilton (1504–1528) was a proto-reformer and martyr in Scotland.
Bullinger, Henry – 1st Sermon, ‘Of Laws, & of the Law of Nature, then of the Laws of Men’ in The Decades ed. Thomas Harding (Cambridge: Parker Society, 1849), vol. 1, 2nd Decade, pp. 193-209
Melanchthon, Philip – ch. 8. ‘Of the Distinction of Commandment & Counsel’ in Melanchthon on Christian Doctrine, Loci Communes, 1555 tr. Clyde L. Manschreck (1555; NY: Oxford Univ. Press, 1965), pp. 130-41
Calvin, John
Instruction in Faith (1537) tr. Paul T. Fuhrman (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1949)
8. ‘The Law of the Lord’ 24-32
9. ‘The Summary of the Law’ 32
10. ‘What comes to us from the Law alone’ 33-34
11. ‘The Law is a preparation to come to Christ’ 34-35
17. ‘We are sanctified through faith in order to obey the Law’ 41-42
3. ‘Of the Law’ in Institutes of the Christian Religion: 1541 French Edition tr. Elsie A. McKee (1541; Eerdmans, 2009), pp. 115-76
7. ‘The law given, not to retain a people for itself, but to keep alive the Hope of Salvation in Christ until his Advent’ in Institutes of the Christian Religion tr. Henry Beveridge (1559; Edinburgh: Calvin Translation Society, 1845), vol. 1, bk. 2, pp. 404-25
Vermigli, Peter Martyr – The Common Places… (d. 1562; London: Henrie Denham et al., 1583), pt. 2
3. ‘Of the Law’ 297
‘Of Philosophy, & the comparison thereof, especially moral, with Divinity’ 300
‘Necessary Rules for the Interpretation and Keeping of the Law’ 304
Musculus, Wolfgang – Common Places of the Christian Religion (1560; London, 1563)
‘Laws’ 16.a
‘What the Law is’ 28.b
2. ‘To whom and by whom the law is to be given’ 29.a
3. ‘How many kinds of laws there be’ 29.b
‘Of the Law written’ 34.a
‘Of the Moral precepts’ 34.a
Of the Strength & Efficacy of the Law 114.a
Of the Infinite & Unchangeableness of the Law 114.b
Ps. 1, 19, 119 114.b
The Law is Spiritual 114.b
It is one thing to be good and another thing to make a man good, Ps. 19 114.b
A Similitude 114.b
Rom. 8, Heb. 7, Gal. 3 114.b
How the Gospel is also weak 114.b
The Gospel is the virtue of God unto salvation 115.a
2 Cor. 3, That the Gospel consists of the Spirit and not of the letter, 1 Cor. 15 115.a
The strength and efficacy of the law is double 115.a
Properly, Rom. 7 & 3 115.a
The law does reprove of sin and condemn, Gal. 3; Rom. 7 115.a
Improperly, The law brings in transgression, Rom. 4 115.b
Similitudes 115.b
The law stirs up sin, Rom 7; 1 Cor. 15 115.b
The law works anger and death, Rom. 3; 2 Cor. 3; Rom. 7 115.b
It had been better then that no law had been given 116.a
What it is to fulfill the law 116.a
Of the Law of the Spirit 117.a
Of the Abrogation of the Law of Moses 118.a
de Brès, Guy – ‘Of the Law’ in The Staff of Christian Faith… for to Know the Antiquity of our Holy Faith… gathered out of the Works of the Ancient Doctors of the Church… (London, 1577), pp. 133-46
de Bres (1522-1567) was a Walloon pastor, Protestant reformer and theologian, a student of Calvin and Beza in Geneva.
Viret, Pierre – A Christian Instruction… (d. 1571; London: Veale, 1573)
The Sum of the Principal Points of the Christian Faith
24. Of the Declaration of the Will of God by the Law, the which He has given to men concerning the obedience and the service that he requires of them 22
25. Of the Law of God containing a summary of the declaration of his will 22-23
26. Of the Summary that Jesus Christ has made of the law of God 25-26
27. Of the True Fulfilling of the Law of God 26-27
The Summary of the Christian Doctrine
Of the Fruits & Effects of the Law, & of Good Works
Of the Sum of the First Table of the Law
Of the Sum of the Second Table
A Familiar Exposition of the Principal Points of the Catechism
1st Dialogue, Of the Law of God & of the Office of the same
2nd Dialogue: Of the Law of God
Of the Manifestation of the Will of God by the Law of the Two Tables
Of the Number of the Commandments contained in the Two Tables
The First Table of the law
The Second Table
Of the Sum of the Law
Of the Division of the matters set forth in the Law
The Division of the points contained in the First Table: and of the principal parts of the true service of God
Of the Faith towards God
Of the Testifying and declaring of faith, and of the parts thereof
Of the Invocation of God’s name, and of the true worshipping of Him
Of Thanksgiving
Of the Outward Testimony of faith, which God requires of man
Of the Means ordained to man by God, whereby they may make profession of their faith
Of the Charity towards our Neighbor
A Division of the Matters contained in the Second Table
Of the Points wherein every one is bound to his neighbor
Of the Weakness & Default of power that is in man to accomplish the law of God
The Exposition of the Preface of the Law
Becon, Thomas – 3. ‘Of the Law’ in Prayers & Other Pieces by Thomas Becon (d. 1567; Cambridge: Parker Society, 1844), The Principles of Christian Religion, pp. 496-506
Becon (c. 1511-1567) was an Anglican reformer, clergyman and a chaplain to Thomas Cranmer. He was initially significantly influenced by Luther, and then Zwingli.
Ursinus, Zachary
The Sum of Christian Religion: Delivered… in his Lectures upon the Catechism… tr. Henrie Parrie (d. 1583; Oxford, 1587)
Of the Law of God, or of the Decalogue & the Ten Commandments
1. What the Law is in general
2. What are the parts of the Law
3. What the use of the Law is
4. In what the Law differs from the Gospel
5. How far the Law is abrogated
6. How the Decalogue is divided
7. What the substance or meaning of the Decalogue & of every Commandment thereof
Certain Conclusions of the Decalogue
15. Of the Law of God in Rules & Axioms of Certain Chief Points of Christianity in A Collection of Certain Learned Discourses… (Oxford, 1600)
Zanchi, Girolamo – Confession of the Christian Religion… (1586; Cambridge, 1599), pp. 46-54 & 279
ch. 10, ’Of the Law’
. On Aphorism 3
ch. 13, ’Of the Gospel, and of the Abrogation of the Law by the Gospel’ 91-99
. On Aphorism 7 295
Beza, Theodore, Anthony Faius & Students – 28. ‘Of the Law of God’ in Propositions & Principles of Divinity Propounded & Disputed in the University of Geneva by Certain Students of Divinity there, under Mr. Theodore Beza & Mr. Anthony Faius… (Edinburgh: Waldegrave, 1591), pp. 63-66
.
1600’s
Bucanus, William – 19. ‘Of the Law’ in Institutions of Christian Religion... (London: Snowdon, 1606), pp. 189-202
From whence is the Latin name of law, to wit, lex, taken?
What significations has the word ‘law’?
But what understand you in this place by the word ‘law’?
What epithets and titles be given to the law in Scripture?
Who is the author of the law?
What joint causes and ministers were there in publishing the law?
What is the matter or argument, or object of the law?
Of how many sorts is the Law of Moses?
What is the moral law?
What difference is there betwixt this moral law and men’s laws which concern manners?
Is the moral law another law than the law of nature?
What needs then the promulgation of the Ten Commandments?
What is the end of the Law?
Can we perform that obedience to the Law which it requires?
Is God therefore unjust because He requires these things of us which we cannot do?
But how can these two sayings (which are thought to be Jerome’s) be reconciled, ‘Cursed is he who says that God commanded impossible things,’ and, ‘Cursed is he who says the Law is possible’?
What is the first use of the moral law?
What is the second use?
What is the third use?
Have they who are regenerate by the Holy Ghost any need of the Law, seeing they have the Holy Ghost for their teacher and leader?
What is the Ceremonial Law?
What was the use of ceremonies and sacrifices?
What was the Judicial or Politic Law?
What was the use of the Judicial Law?
How far is the moral law abrogated?
Is the Ceremonial Law abrogated?
Is the Judicial Law in like manner abrogated?
What things are disparata, disagreeing, or of other nature than the Law?
What opinions do oppose this doctrine of the Law?
Alsted, Johann H. – Polemical Theology, exhibiting the Principal Eternal Things of Religion in Navigating Controversies, pt. 2, 4-6 (Partial) tr. by AI by Onku (Hanau, 1620; 1627), pt. 2
1. A catholic Symphony
2. ‘On the Decalogue’ 5-6 Latin
2. A Major catholic Symphony: Theological Common Places
12. ‘Law’ 33-35 Latin
Polyander, Johannes – 18. ‘Concerning the Law of God’ in Synopsis of a Purer Theology: Latin Text & English Translation Buy (1625; Brill, 2016), vol. 1, pp. 432-52
Wolleb, Johannes – 13. ‘The Moral Law’ in Abridgment of Christian Divinity (1626) in ed. John Beardslee, Reformed Dogmatics: J. Wollebius, G. Voetius & F. Turretin (Oxford Univ. Press, 1965), bk. 1, pp. 75-79
Wolleb (1589–1629) was a Swiss reformed theologian. He was a student of Amandus Polanus.
Maccovius, John
ch. 2, ‘On the Law’ in Scholastic Discourse: Johannes Maccovius (1588-1644) on Theological & Philosophical Distinctions & Rules (1644; Apeldoorn: Instituut voor Reformatieonderzoek, 2009), pp. 85-97
Maccovius (1588–1644) was a reformed, supralapsarian Polish theologian.
ch. 2, ‘On Law’ in Prefatory Material & chs. 1-2 of Johannes Maccovius Revived, or his Manuscripts printed, containing Polemic Theology tr. by AI by Onku (Hague, 1645)
Moral Law, q. 1, Is the moral law now more perfect than it was formerly handed down by Moses? 10
Ceremonial Law, q. 1, Is the Ceremonial Law the doctrine of the Gospel, or does it constitute a peculiar species of law? 12
Forensic Law, q. 1, Ought no other laws to be observed among Christians in political judgments than these very Mosaic laws? 14-15
Rijssen, Leonard – ch. 9, ‘The Law, the Fall & Sin’ in A Complete Summary of Elenctic Theology & of as Much Didactic Theology as is Necessary tr. J. Wesley White MTh thesis (Bern, 1676; GPTS, 2009), pp. 82-100
Rijssen (1636?-1700?) was a prominent Dutch reformed minister and theologian, active in theological controversies.
.
1700’s
à Brakel, Wilhelmus – ‘The Law of God: General Considerations’ in The Christian’s Reasonable Service, vol. 3 ed. Joel Beeke, trans. Bartel Elshout (1700; RHB, 1992/1999), pp. 35-84
Venema, Herman – pp. 468-70 in Translation of Hermann Venema’s inedited Institutes of Theology tr. Alexander W. Brown (d. 1787; Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1850), ch. 29, Sin
Venema (1697-1787) was a professor at Franeker. Venema “maintained the fundamental line of confessional orthodoxy without drawing heavily on any of the newer philosophies… and maintained a fairly centrist Reformed position. Venema… evidence[s] the inroads of a rationalistic model…” – Richard Muller
.
.
Book
1500’s
Zanchi, Jerome – On the Law in General in Sources in Early Modern Economics, Ethics & Law Buy (CLP, 2012) 140 pp.
“On the Law in General is a single chapter of Girolamo Zanchi’s Tractatus de Redemptione, part of what has been called an unfinished Protestant “summa” akin to that of Thomas Aquinas. In this selection, Zanchi examines the relationship of natural law to human law, church tradition, customs, divine laws, and the Mosaic Law.” – Bookflap
.
On Moral Law
Articles
1200’s
Aquinas – Summa, 2nd part, part 1, question 91, ‘Of the various kinds of law’
article 4, ‘Whether there is a Divine Law’
article 5, ‘Whether there is one Divine Law or several’
.
1500’s
Musculus, Wolfgang – Common Places of the Christian Religion (1560; London, 1563)
‘Of the Moral Precepts’ 34.a
‘Addition of enlargement of the Moral Precepts’ 110.b
The Use of the Moral Precepts 113.b
It teaches what we ought to be and what we be 113.b
.
1600’s
Maccovius, Johannes – Moral Law, q. 1, ‘Is the moral law now more perfect than it was formerly handed down by Moses?’ in Prefatory Material & chs. 1-2 of Johannes Maccovius Revived, or his Manuscripts printed, containing Polemic Theology tr. by AI by Onku (Hague, 1645), ch. 2, ‘On Law’, pp. 10-12
Palmer, Herbert & Daniel Cawdrey – Sabbatum Redivivum, or the Christian Sabbath Vindicated… (1645), Part 1
ch. 1
sections 1-2, pp. 1-3
sections 13-14, pp. 7-9
ch. 3, ‘Every Law of the Decalogue is a Moral & Perpetual Law’, pp. 37-48
ch. 4, ‘The Exceptions to the Former Argument Answered’, pp. 48-56
ch. 7, ‘General Considerations about Time & its Profitableness in Reference to Moral Actions of Importance’, pp. 83-105
Roberts, Francis – ‘On the Moral Law & the Law of Nature’ PDF (1675) 3 pp. being Book 3, Chapter 4, Aphorism 1, Question 6 of his The Mystery & Marrow of the Bible: God’s Covenants with Man
Turretin, Francis – Institutes of Elenctic Theology, tr. George M. Giger, ed. James Dennison Jr. (1679–1685; P&R, 1994), vol. 2, 11th Topic
1. ‘Whether there is a natural law, and how it differs from the moral law. The former we affirm; the latter we distinguish.’ 1
2. ‘Are the precepts of the decalogue of natural and indispensable right? We affirm.’ 7
3. ‘Is the moral law so perfect a rule of life and morals that nothing can be added to it or ought to be corrected in it for the true worship of God? Or did Christ fulfill it not only as imperfect, but also correct it as contrary to his doctrines? The former we affirm; the latter we deny against the Socinians, Anabaptists, Remonstrants and papists.’ 18
4. ‘May anything be added to the moral law in the way of counsel? We deny against the papists.’ 28
22. ‘What and how many are the uses of the moral law according to the various states of man? Can it bind to obedience and punishment together? We make distinctions.’ 137
23. ‘Whether the moral law is abrogated entirely under the New Testament. Or whether in a certain respect it still pertains to Christians. The former we deny; the latter we affirm against the Antinomians.’ 141
.
Quotes
London Presbyterians
The Divine Right of Church Government… (1646), p. 76
“What moral goodness nature teaches, that same does the Moral Law teach, so the one excludes not the other.”
.
Francis Turretin
Institutes of Elenctic Theology (P&R, 1994), vol. 2, 11th Topic, ‘On the Law of God’, Question 24, ‘What was the end and use of the ceremonial law under the Old Testament?’, section 3, p. 146
“Hence arises a manifold difference between the moral law and others [ceremonial and judicial] both in origin (because the moral is founded upon natural right and on this account is known by nature; but the others upon positive right and on this account are from free revelation) and in duration.
The former is immutable and eternal; the latter mutable and temporary. In regard to object, the one is universal embracing all; the others particular applying only to the Jews… In regard to use, the moral is the end of the others, while the others are subservient to the moral.”
.
Richard Muller
Dictionary of Greek & Latin Theological Terms 1st ed. (Baker, 1985)
pp. 173-4
“In substance, the lex moralis [moral law] is identical with the lex naturalis [natural law], but, unlike the natural law, it is given by revelation in a form which is clearer and fuller than that otherwise known to the reason.”
.
pp. 174-5
“The universal moral law either impressed by God upon the mind of all people or immediately discerned by the reason in its encounter with the order of nature. The natural law was therefore available even to those pagans who did not have the advantage of the Sinaitic revelation and the lex Mosaica [Law of Moses], with the result that they were left without excuse in their sins, convicted by conscientia [conscience].
The scholastics argue the identity of the lex naturalis [Natural Law] with the lex Mosaica or lex moralis [Moral Law] quod substantiam, according to substance, and distinguish them quod formam, according to form. The lex naturalis is inward, written on the heart and therefore obscure, whereas the lex Mosaica is revealed externally and written on tablets and thus of greater clarity.”
.
On Moral-Natural Laws
Article
Palmer, Herbert & Daniel Cawdrey – Sabbatum Redivivum, or the Christian Sabbath Vindicated… (1645), Part 1
ch. 1
sections 14-19, pp. 9-11
section 28, p. 16
ch. 6, ‘Solemn Worship is Moral-Natural, both solitary and conjoined in families and churches, and how far’, pp. 73-82
.
On Moral-Positive Laws
See also ‘The Sabbath is Partly Moral & Partly Positive’.
.
Articles
Palmer, Herbert & Daniel Cawdrey – Sabbatum Redivivum, or the Christian Sabbath Vindicated… (1645), Part 1
ch. 1
section 14, p. 9
sections 20-28, pp. 11-16
ch. 2, ‘Rules to Know a Law to be Moral, though but Positive’, pp. 17-37
.
On the Threefold Division of the Mosaic Law into Moral, Ceremonial & Judicial
Articles
1500’s
Beza, Theodore – ‘On The Threefold Division Of The Law’ in Beza, A Clear & Simple Treatise on the Lord’s Supper, tr. David Noe (1559; RHB, 2016), p. 171 at Heidelblog
Ursinus, Zacharias – 16. Of the Parts of God’s Law in Rules & Axioms of Certain Chief Points of Christianity in A Collection of Certain Learned Discourses… (d. 1583; Oxford, 1600)
.
On the Uses of the Law
See also, ‘On the 3rd Use of Law’.
.
Articles
1500’s
Ursinus, Zachary
The Sum of Christian Religion: Delivered… in his Lectures upon the Catechism… tr. Henrie Parrie (d. 1583; Oxford, 1587)
Of the Law of God, 3. What the use of the Law is
10th Commandment
1. How the Law is possible
2. What is the use of the Law
17. Of the Use & Abrogating of God’s Law in Rules & Axioms of Certain Chief Points of Christianity in A Collection of Certain Learned Discourses… (Oxford, 1600)
.
1600’s
Perkins, William – 30. Of the Use of the Law in A Golden Chain (Cambridge: Legat, 1600)
.
On the Law & Gospel
Articles
1500’s
Hamilton, Patrick – Patrick’s Places… (d. 1528; London: White, 1598)
‘The Nature & Office of the Law and of the Gospel’
The Order & Differences of Places
Calvin, John – 17. ‘The Promises of the Law & the Gospel Reconciled’ in Institutes of the Christian Religion tr. Henry Beveridge (1559; Edinburgh: Calvin Translation Society, 1845), vol. 2, bk. 3, pp. 391-413
Beza, Theodore
ch. 4, sections 22-30, ‘The Word of God: Its two parts — the Law & the Gospel’ in The Christian Faith, tr: James Clark (1558) at Monergism
A Brief & Pithy Sum of the Christian Faith made in Form of a Confession (London, 1565)
ch. 4
22. What it is that we call the Word of God, and of the two parts: the Law and the Gospel
23. What difference there is between the Law and the Gospel
29. Another fruit of the preaching of the law, after the preaching of the gospel begins to work
ch. 7, 9. They know not in the papistry the exercise of the Law of God or the gospel
Viret, Pierre – A Christian Instruction… (d. 1571; London: Veale, 1573)
The Summary of the Christian Doctrine
Of the Principal Points whereunto men may apply all the doctrine contained in the Holy Scriptures
Of the Difference that is between the Law & the Gospel
A Familiar Exposition of the Principal Points of the Catechism
1st Dialogue
Of the Difference that is to be considered between the Law & the Gospel
Of the Covenant & Agreement of the Law and the Gospel
14th Dialogue
Ursinus, Zachary
4. In what the Law differs from the Gospel in The Sum of Christian Religion: Delivered… in his Lectures upon the Catechism… tr. Henrie Parrie (Oxford, 1587), Of the Law of God, or of the Decalogue & the Ten Commandments
1. Of the Doctrine of the Church [Law & Gospel] in Rules & Axions of Certain Chief Points of Christianity in A Collection of Certain Learned Discourses… (Oxford, 1600)
Beza, Theodore, Anthony Faius & Students – 72. ‘Of the Sacred Ministry of the Church, where the Doctrine of the Law & the Gospel are Compared Together’ in Propositions & Principles of Divinity Propounded & Disputed in the University of Geneva by Certain Students of Divinity there, under Mr. Theodore Beza & Mr. Anthony Faius… (Edinburgh: Waldegrave, 1591), pp. 224-31
.
1600’s
Bucanus, William – 21. ‘Of the Agreement & Disagreement of the Law & the Gospel’ in Institutions of Christian Religion... (London: Snowdon, 1606), pp. 209
Are the Law and Gospel doctrines one opposite to another?
In what things do they agree?
But wherein do they differ?
Is it necessary and profitable to know the difference of the Law and Gospel?
What things are repugnant hereto?
Wolleb, Johannes – 15. ‘The Gospel, & its Similarity to, & Difference from, the Law’ in Abridgment of Christian Divinity (1626) in ed. John Beardslee, Reformed Dogmatics: J. Wollebius, G. Voetius & F. Turretin (Oxford Univ. Press, 1965), bk. 1, pp. 85-86
Wolleb (1589–1629) was a Swiss reformed theologian. He was a student of Amandus Polanus.
Alsted, Johann Heinrich – ‘On Law & Gospel’ in Tomus Quintus Encyclopaediae… (Herborn, 1630), p. 1,614 tr. Michael Lynch
.
Historical
2000’s
Johnson, Charles – ‘Lex Semper Accusat? The Law & the Gospel in Melanchthon’s Loci Communes‘ (2020)
.
Latin Articles
Voet, Gisbert – Select Theological Disputations (Amsterdam: Jansson, 1667)
2. ‘On Law & Gospel’, pt. 1 17
3. pt. 2 30
4. pt. 3 47-62
.
On the Evangelical Counsels
See also, ‘On Supererogatory Works’.
.
Intro
In the New Testament Paul sometimes gives counsel to Christians (e.g. 1 Cor. 7) which is not binding on all Christians in all circumstances. Romanists have taken these counsels to point to a supererogatory righteousness, not strictly morally required, but optional, giving the doer thereof a righteousness above what is required in the moral law.
This lent support to the Romanist teachings on perfectionism, penance, a treasury of the saints’ merit (involved in the papacy doling out indulgences), singleness being superior to married life and monasticism.
The reformed rightly argued that Paul’s counsel was yet grounded on natural and moral law, and thus subordinate to it, the counsel deriving its whole ethical weight therefrom, per one’s individual circumstances, etc. which is why the counsels are not binding on all indiscriminately. Man can never rise above his obligations to his Maker (Lk. 17:10). Even when a person chooses to pursue a great potential good that most persons do not, that goodness still derives from God’s moral law and is obligatory in respect that we are obliged to seek and choose the highest good, per God’s natural and moral law.
Likewise the counsel of one friend to another ought to recognize, point out and seek to serve and apply natural and moral principles inherent in the situation to attain a greater good, lest we be gods. Actions above and beyond what the moral law requires are not righteous (or worthy of a reward), but arbitrary, superstitious, unnatural and a playing of the Pope.
.
Articles
1500’s
Willet, Andrew – Question 2, ‘Concerning the Counsels of Perfection’ in Synopsis Papismi (1592), bk. 1, 6th Controversy, pp. 235-38
.
1600’s
Downame, George – §20. ‘Of Counsels & Monastical Vows’ in ch. 7, ‘A Catalogue of the Errors of the Church of Rome’ in On the Antichrist, bk. 3, appended to Richard Baxter, The Safe Religion… (London: Miller, 1657), pp. 442-44
Turretin, Francis – 4. ‘May anything be added to the moral law in the way of counsel? We deny against the papists.’ in Institutes of Elenctic Theology, tr. George M. Giger, ed. James Dennison Jr. (1679–1685; P&R, 1994), vol. 2, 11th Topic, p. 28 ff.
.
Book
1600’s
Primrose, Gilbert – bk. 2, ‘Of Evangelical Counsels’ ToC in Jacob’s Vow, Opposed to the Vows of Monks & Friars… (London: Kyngston, 1617), pp. 50-237
Primrose (ca. 1580-1642) was a Scottish minister and a pastor in France and London. Romanists used Jacob’s vow as justification for monastic vows.
.
Latin Article
Hommius, Festus – Disputation 29, ‘On Monastic Vows, Evangelical Counsels & Works of Supererogation’ in 70 Theological Disputations Against Papists (Leiden, 1614), pp. 156-68
.
Latin
1600’s
Alsted, Johann H. – ch. 8, ‘On the Law of God’ in Theological Common Places Illustrated by Perpetual Similitudes (Frankfurt, 1630), pp. 49-53
Voet, Paul – A Sole Book on Statutes [of Law] & of their Concursus (Amsterdam: Waesberg, 1661) 383 p.. ToC
Paul Voet (1619-1667) was the son of Gisbert Voet and a professor of metaphysics, logic and law at Utrecht.
.
Section 1
ch. 1
1. The work is on precognition, even in law
2. What law is in general is defined
3. The first division of law is propounded
4. What is the law of God?
5. What the law of creatures?
6. What the law of humans?
7. How many fold is the law of humans?
8. To what kind does the sacred law refer?
9. Hence to the collective public?
10. The natural law of God and of men are distinguished
11. The natural law of men is explained
12. The immutable, natural law of men
13. The matrimony of natural law is described
14. The procreation of children, love and education
15. Their defense and the fending off of injury
16. Not a bare defense of goods
17. Religion is ascribed to the natural law
18. Love of one’s own homeland and parents
19. So love of one’s homeland is even to be preferred to love of one’s father
20. Whether liberty?
ch. 2
…
Voet, Gisbert – Select Theological Disputations (Amsterdam: Jansson, 1667), vol. 4
7. ‘On the Judgments of God’, pt. 1 91
8. pt. 2 102-13
…
50. ‘A Syllabus of Questions on the Whole Decalogue’,
‘On the Law of God’ 767
‘Of righteousness & of right, & the opposites: of unrighteousness & injury’ 789
‘Of equity’ 789
‘On partiality of persons’ 789
Wettstein, Gernler & Buxtorf – 7. Law in A Syllabus of Controversies in Religion which come between the Orthodox Churches & whatever other Adversaries, for material for the regular disputations… customarily held in the theological school of the academy at Basil (Basil, 1662), pp. 21-26
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