Two Laws.

Vol. I.]  OSWEGO, N. Y. MARCH, 1850. [No. 7

JAMES WHITE

CONTINUED….

THE TWO LAWS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT—

The word law so frequently used by the New Testament writers, especially the Apostle Paul, does not always refer to one and the same law, but it sometimes refers to the law of-Moses, and sometimes to the law of God, or ten commandments. One is called a "yoke of bondage," a law of carnal ceremonies," which could- not make the "comers there unto perfect"' The other is called the "ROYAL law;" "law of LIBERTY," " SPIRITUAL,"' " HOLY, JUST and GOOD." Here I will give two texts from the epistles of  St. Paul, Which speak of the law, that the reader may, see that the apostle  has positively contradicted himself if law refers to,  but one law.

" Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law, ye are fallen from grace." Gal. v:4.

"For,  not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the DOERS OF THE LAW' SHALL BE JUSTIFIED." Rom. ii, 13.

From these texts it is plain that St. Paul refers to two distinct  laws. The language  the text; and its connection will in all cases determine what law is meant. When the apostle speaks of the law in Rom. ii, 13 he means the law of Commandments for two reasons at least; first, he never taught the Romans that they could "be justified" by doing the law of Moses, and second, he speaks of three of the ten commandments of God in verses,21, 22 of the same chapter. When he speaks of the law in Gal. v, 4, he is speaking of the law of Moses. Reader turn and see for yourself, that the  apostle is speaking of circumcision in the two preceding verses; also in verses 6-11; The Galatians are exhorted to "stand fast " in the liberty of the gospel; and are warned against being " entangled" with the " yoke of bondage." which was the law Of Moses that had been dead twenty-five  years, but the apostle never warned them, nor;  any of the other churches against keeping the  commandments of God. NO; never.

By confounding--these two laws in one, Eld. Marsh leads his readers from the truth, and makes what the apostle wrote to the Galatians A. D. 58 contradict what he wrote to Romans two years before. He quotes the following, which is so often applied to those who keep the Lord's Sabbath: "Whosoever of you are justified by the law, Ye are fallen from grace." Now if we have fallen from grace by keeping the fourth commandment, has not Eld. Marsh also fallen from grace for keeping the other 'nine commandments of the same law ? And if we have fallen from grace by keeping the Sabbath, then we cannot be restored to grace until we,  break the fourth commandment, and by the same rule Eld. Marsh cannot be restored to grace until he breaks the other nine commandments! I leave the reader to decide as to the justness of this conclusion. My only object is to hold up the view- that THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD are abolished- in its true hideous form, that souls may take warning; and not be devoured by it.

With the view that Gal, v. 4 and  Rom. xiv 5, apply to the case of those who keep the Sabbath', I will quote Rom. Xiv. 5, "One man esteemeth one day above another: [that is, he keeps the Sabbath and falls from grace ;]. Another esteemeth all-days alike. [He does not keep the Sabbath therefore does not fall from grace.) Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." [That is, whether it best to fall from grace or not.]  All who will-search the Word for themselves, may not only see the error, but the folly of applying these and similar texts to those who observe the seventh-day Sabbath.

*******

We cannot have it both ways. We cannot say the Sabbath commandment in its entirety has been abolished, or even changed, unless we are will to say the same for the other nine commandments.  Jesus came and revealed the laws more fully- telling a man if he looked on a woman to lust after her, that he was already committing adultery. Jesus did NOT say it's fine to commit adultery, that the law no longer matters. Jesus revealed the heart of the law of God- letting people know that actions in their thoughts (lust-committing the acts in willful, indulged thoughts, using them as entertainment) is just as bad as doing the act itself. They could no longer pat themselves on the back by saying they only think about it, but never act upon it and therefore they are just fine and dandy. Their hearts were being just as wicked as those who committed the acts. If Jesus were to abolish the law of not committing adultery right there would have been the perfect time to do so. Jesus and His apostles all lived the law of God. In order not to sin, you have to not break the law of God-  Jesus kept the law of God perfectly, Jesus did not sin. If there were no law of God any longer, no one would sin, end of story. 

People love to simple say the Sabbath law is still in effect, only that it's day has been changed-- another lie-- no where in God's word do we find proof of that.   So, if you're persuaded that there are two distinct laws spoken of by the apostles- the Law of God and the Law of Moses, that one is to be kept forever while the other was abolished, yet hold back on believing the day is changed, or simply doesn't matter-  please PRAY for truth to be known. Pray! Pray! Pray! Go to God's word, and pray!

Prayerfully we will continue with the study of the Present Day papers tomorrow.

All in the grace and love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, now and forever!!!!!!!