Page:Apocalypse Revealed Vol I.djvu/27

"IV. On the Law and the Gospel. That the law was given by God, that it might be known what sin is, and that thus it might be restrained by threats and by fear, and afterwards by promise and the annunciation of grace; therefore the principle office of the law is, to reveal original sin and all the fruits of it, and to make known to how horrible a degree the nature of man is fallen and totally depraved; by this means it terrifies, humbles, and reduces man to despair of himself, and anxiously to desire aid: this effect of the law is called contrition, which is not active or factitious, but passive, and the torment of conscience; but the gospel is the whole doctrine concerning Christ and faith; and, therefore, concerning the remission of sins; consequently, a most joyful messenger, not reproving and terrifying, but comforting: by the law the wrath of God against all impiety is revealed, and man is condemned, therefore, it causes man to look up to Christ, and to the gospel; they must both be preached, because they are connected. The gospel teaches that Christ took upon himself the curse of the law, and expiated all sins, and that we consequently obtain remission by faith. That the Holy Spirit is given and received, and the heart of man renewed, not by the preaching of the law, but of the Gospel; and that the Spirit afterwards makes use of the ministry of the law, to teach and shew, in the decalogue, what the good will and pleasure of God is; thus the Spirit mortifies and quickens. That a distinction is to be made between the works of the law and the works of the Spirit, therefore, the faithful are not under the law, but under grace, for that very reason. That the righteousness of the law does not justify, that is, does not reconcile nor regenerate, nor, by itself, make men accepted of God; but when the Holy Spirit is given, the fulfilling of the law follows. That the works of the second table of the decalogue do not justify, because by it we act with men, and not properly with God, and yet in justification we must act with God. That Christ without sin suffered