The Church of Rome in a manner confound the Law, and the Gospel,1 saving that the Gospel, which is the new Law, revealeth Christ more clearly then Moses Law did, which they call the old Law. But this is a wicked opinion, which overturns all religion, being the cause of many gross points in popery, which could not stand, if they would acknowledge a true distinction between the Law and the Gospel. They say for their defence, that the precepts of both, are the same2 for substance; that both require righteousness, both promise life, and threaten death; both command faith, repentance, and obedience; and therefore they are the same. Answer. First, the laws and precepts of3 4the Law and Gospel are not the same; for Adam in his innocency knew the Law, but he knew nothing then of believing in Christ: and though both require righteousness, promise life, and threaten death, yet the manner is far different, as before was noted: So likewise they differ in the commanding of faith; for the Gospel commandeth faith, not as a work done, as the Law doth; but as an instrument laying hold on Christ. Again, the Law commands faith generally;5 as to believe in God, and to believe his word to be true: but besides this, the Gospel requires a particular faith in Christ the Redeemer, whom the Law never knew. Thirdly, the Law commandeth not6 repentance, for the knowledge of the Law was in Adams heart, when he needed no repentance: true repentance therefore is a saving grace, wrought and commanded only by the Gospel. And fourthly,7 for obedience, though it be commanded both by the Law and the Gospel, yet not in the same manner: The Law commandeth obedience every way perfect, both in parts, and in degrees, and alloweth none other: but the Gospel commandeth, and in Christ approveth imperfect obedience; that is, an endeavour in all things, to obey and please God, if it be without hypocrisy. Again, the Law commandeth obedience, as a work to be done, for the obtaining of salvation: but the Gospel requires obedience, only to testify our faith and thankfulness unto God. The Church of Rome therefore erreth grossly, in con founding the Law and the Gospel, which indeed are far differing; & so we must believe, if we would come into, & hold the right way that leadeth unto life.
The Church of Rome in a manner confound the Law, and the Gospell,1 sauing that the Gospel, which is the new Law, reuealeth Christ more clearely then Moses Law did, which they call the old Law. But this is a wicked opinion, which ouerturnes all religion, beeing the cause of many grosse points in poperie, which could not stand, if they would acknowledge a true distinction betweene the Law and the Gospel. They say for their defence, that the precepts of both, are the same2 for substance; that both require righteousnesse, both promise life, and threaten death; both commaund faith, repentance, and obedience; and therefore they are the same. Answer. First, the laws and precepts of3 4the Law and Gospel are not the same; for Adam in his innocencie knew the Law, but hee knewe nothing then of beleeuing in Christ: and though both require righteousnesse, promise life, and threaten death, yet the manner is farre different, as before was noted: So likewise they differ in the commaunding of faith; for the Gospel commandeth faith, not as a worke done, as the Law doth; but as an instrument laying hold on Christ. Againe, the Law commaundes faith generally;5 as to beleeue in God, and to beleeue his word to be true: but besides this, the Gospel requires a particular faith in Christ the Redeemer, whom the Law neuer knewe. Thirdly, the Law commandeth not6 repentance, for the knowledge of the Law was in Adams heart, when hee needed no repentance: true repentance therefore is a sauing grace, wrought and commanded onely by the Gospel. And fourthly,7 for obedience, though it bee commaunded both by the Law and the Gospel, yet not in the same manner: The Law commaundeth obedience euery way perfect, both in parts, and in degrees, and alloweth none other: but the Gospel commaundeth, and in Christ approoueth imperfect obedience; that is, an indeauour in all things, to obey and please God, if it be without hypocrisie. Againe, the Law commandeth obedience, as a worke to bee done, for the obtaining of saluation: but the Gospel requires obedience, onely to testifie our faith and thankefulnesse vnto God. The Church of Rome therefore erreth grosly, in cō founding the Law and the Gospel, which indeed are farre differing; & so we must beleeue, if we would come into, & hold the right way that leadeth vnto life.
- 1Tonens. August. Confess. lib. 2. cap. 6.Tonens. August. Confes. lib. 2. cap. 6.
- 2Bellar. de Justis. l. 4. c. 3.Bellar. de Iustis. l. 4. c. 3.
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- 4Law & Gospel differ in precepts.
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- 63
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