Observe here, What care and holy caution the apostle uses to vindicate and clear the holy law of God from all fault and blame, charging his guilt, not upon the commandment, but upon the corruption of his own heart, which took occasion to be stirring in him, and by the commandment slew him; affirming nevertheless, that the law of God in itself, and in its own nature, is holy, just, and good.

Here note, that the apostle adorns the law with the most excellent eulogy and commendation.

'Tis holy, 1. As it enjoins all acts of piety towards God; namely, adoration of his majesty, imitation of his purity, resignation to his providence, obedience to his commands.

2. 'Tis just, as it directs us in our duty to others in every capacity and relative wherein we stand, and obliges us to walk by that rule of equity, to do to others as we would they should do unto us.

3. 'Tis good to the man that keeps it, commanding nothing but what is influential upon his well-being both here and hereafter.

Could we set aside the authority of the Lawgiver, yet all the precepts of the law, for their moral goodness, deserve our esteem, and choice, and entire observation; nothing being required of us but what is our duty and interest as men, and which tends to the perfecting and ennobling of our natures: Well then might our apostle determine, that the law is holy, the commandment holy, and just, and good.

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Old Testament