To the Westminster Forum, Having directed your attention away from the magistrate for a moment in order to consider the deeper significance of covenant theology, the following is offered as a basis for understanding the duty of the magistrate in terms of the covenant of grace. They were delivered in the context of the covenant nation, and as such are covenant stipulations. As such, they do not recognising a legitimate discontinuity between the Testaments. When seeking to correctly apply the Scriptures, we must obviously take into account the purpose for which the Scriptures were written.
Nobody seeks to fly an automobile.
No, rather, its purpose is taken into account when using it, and by so doing it is profitably used as a means of travelling across level surfaces. Such being the case, it is necessary to understand what the applicability of the Old Testament law is to the New Testament church. However, it serves to demonstrate how the apostles understood the Old Testament, and as such is an example of how to interpret the Scriptures. For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. He has not spiritualised the commandment, but has applied it to its appropriate context in light of the fulness of the ages.