Colquhoun: The Moral Law Is A Perpetual Obligation

Is the moral law of perpetual obligation? Then it follows that, as a covenant of works, it retains and will continue throughout eternity to retain its whole authority and obligation over every sinner of mankind who lives and dies under it. In its covenant form, it stands in full force and can never be repealed. It will continue throughout all eternity to hold the finally impenitent under both its commanding and its condemning power. They shall remain forever under an infinite obligation both to yield perfect obedience to its righteous precepts and to give infinite satisfaction for their disobedience of them. There is no possible way in which a sinner can be freed from the perpetual obligation of the law as a covenant but by presenting, in the hand of faith to it, the infinitely perfect and meritorious righteousness of the second Adam as a full answer to all its high demands. When this glorious righteousness is received by faith and graciously imputed to a man, the law in its covenant form is fully satisfied with respect to him, and in that form it has nothing more to demand from him. He now passes from the obligation of the covenant of works and comes under the perpetual obligation of the law as a rule of duty in the covenant of grace, and he will remain under its infinite obligation through all eternity.

John Colquhoun | A Treatise on the Law and Gospel (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books), 76–77.


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  • Tony Phelps
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    Tony grew up in Rhode Island. He was educated at BA (University of Rhode Island) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He worked in the insurance industry for ten years. He planted a PCA church in Wakefield, RI where he served for eleven years. In 2015–18 he pastored Covenant Reformed Church (URCNA) in Colorado Springs. He is currently pastor of Living Hope (OPC). Tony is married to Donna and together they have three children.

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