Berridge and Romans 7...

“Run, John, run,” the law commands
But gives me neither feet nor hands.
Yet better news the gospel brings;
It bids me fly and gives me wings.

- After John Berridge (1716-1793)

Also:

A complaint was lodged against him, and the bishop sent for him and reproved him for preaching "at all hours and on all days." "My lord," said he, modestly, "I preach only at two seasons." "Which are they, Mr. Berridge?" "In season and out of season, my lord." [taken from biog here]

Big Pride... in the law (more on Romans 2.17-3.8)

I suppose the Jews face a more direct charge, in that they are being judged by the law - it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.

Is not the big match law vs. legalism? The descriptions in v17b - 20 are all 'good' things, and things ordained by God for the Jews to be. 17b - 18 seems to focus on being instructed by the law, whilst 19 - 20 is instructing others in the law. Hence, the charge of v21.

I'm a little confused by the examples given of the law being broken: stealing, adultery, robbing temples. Are they random acts selected by Paul, or were they specific charges against the Roman Jews? The language is very personal, it's as if Paul knows they know what he's talking about. In Acts 19.37, Paul is charged with robbing temples in Ephesus, it may have been something Jews were big on. Sure, they would have abhored idols, but would this have led to them actually robbing pagan temples? Or is Paul just bringing the Jews back in line with 1.18-32?

Either way in v24 Paul explains the significance of it, quoting Isaiah 52.5, The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.

'...if we can eat prawns, why is gay sex wrong?'

A really coherent short study on how the Old Testament law is fulfilled in Christ, and therefore how Christians should live today, is 'What God has made clean... if we can eat prawns, why is gay sex wrong?' by John Richardson.

The purpose of the booklet is to really get to grips with how we interpret OT law in light of Christ, and specifically as regards the issue of homosexual sex. The booklet is well worth getting hold of, and if you're someone who's asking the 'how come Christians are told to uphold the law, yet seem to think its ok to wear polyester-cotton clothers (Lev 19.19)?' kind of question, then it's ideal.

Richardson has shortened much of his work down to some bare points in an online article here.