Ursinus Against The Antinomians, Libertines, And Similar Fanatics Who Deny That The Decalogue Is For Teaching in the Christian Church (Objection 5)

Obj. 5. He who makes satisfaction to the law by punishment, is not bound to obedience according to the rule, The law binds to obedience or punishment, but not to both at the same time. We now make satisfaction to the law by the punishment of Christ. Therefore we are no longer bound to obey the law. Ans. We must make a distinction in reference to the major proposition: He who makes satisfaction by punishment, is not bound to obedience; that is, he is not bound to render the same obedience, for the omission of which he suffered punishment; but after it is made, he is bound to yield obedience anew to the law, or to suffer new punishment in case he disobey the law. Again: he who makes satisfaction to the law by punishment which is not his own, but another’s, and is received into favor by God without his own satisfaction, ought still to render obedience to the law, even though it be not to make satisfaction for his sins, but that he may in this way show his gratitude to his redeemer. We ought, therefore, since Christ has satisfied for our sins by his death, to feel ourselves bound to render obedience, not indeed for the time past, but for the time to come; and this, too, for the purpose of showing our gratitude for the benefit of our deliverance. “He that is dead is freed from sin.” “We thus judge that if one died for all, then were all dead, and that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” (Rom. 6:7. 2 Cor. 5:14, 15.)
Zacharias Ursinus | Commentary of Dr Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism, trans. George W. Williard (Cincinnati: Elm Street Printing Company, 1888), 616–18.

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