Q40. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience, was the moral law.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Romans 2:14–15
“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: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)”
Romans 10:5
“For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.”
Commentary — Thomas Vincent (1674)
Question 1. Are there any other laws which God hath given unto men?
Answer. The Lord gave other positive laws to the people of the jews, which they were bound to yield obedience unto, such as the ceremonial law: but those laws were not intended a standing rule of obedience for all nations in all ages, and therefore were for a time abrogated and disannulled, and the not yielding obedience to them by us at this time, is no sin.
Question 2. Doth the moral law continue to be a rule of obedience in the days of the gospel?