Page:A Beacon to the Society of Friends.djvu/96

 plainly appropriates to every such believer Deut. xxx. 14, "The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that is the word of faith which we preach," &c.; and he goes on to say, "There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord over all, is rich unto all that call upon him:" but then he expressly declares, v. 14, 15, and 17, the necessity of outward information, agreeably to the declaration of our Lord, Matt. xxiv. 14, "And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations." Is it not plain, therefore, that a declaration of the word of the Gospel is necessary; and that the way by which the law becomes written on the heart, is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? which faith, is the gift of God; because it is by the operation of the upon the heart, that we are induced to believe in Christ, and believing in him, the heart is moved to love God, who gave his beloved Son to offer himself a sacrifice for our sins—or transgressions of the law. And thus grateful to God for his unspeakable gift, the love of his law, and sorrow for the transgression of it, is the necessary consequence; in other words, —the affections are engaged to obey it.

It may be further observed, that a most important distinction exists, between the law written merely in the memory, and the law written in the heart; for a man may perfectly remember a law which he dislikes, and which harasses him, but which, nevertheless, he refuses to obey. Is it, therefore, proper, to recommend men indiscriminately, whether believers or unbelievers, to obey the law written in their hearts? This may perhaps appear more obvious if we consider the two following questions.