Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 2:14

14. For when the Gentiles which have not the law , do by nature the things contained in the law, these having not the law, are a law unto themselves .

Here he Preoccupates the Gentiles Plea: They might Object, that having not the Law, they could not Transgres[illegible: 1 letter], nor be culpable in Judgment, vid. Chap. 4.15. To this he sayes, That though they had not the Law written in Tables of Stone, as the Iews had, yet they had a Law written in their Hearts, which was a Copy or Counterpart of the other, and had in a manner the Effects of it▪ for thereby they were Instructed to do Well, and debarr'd from doing Evil, which are the two Properties of all Laws.

Nature is oppos'd to Scripture and special Reve[illegible: 1 letter]ation: By the Direction of the Law, and Light of Nature, they did many things, which the Law of Moses Commanded, and forbore many things which it forbade.

i. e. They have in themselves such Principles of Reason, and Rules of Equity, as are to them instead of a Law, prescribing what they ought to Do and [illegible: 1 letter]void.

Marginal references: Or, things of the Law.