Section 1

That sin is not only in the world, but in us also,¹ we know, 1. Out of the Law of God, that is, by comparing our selves and the Law together, in considering what the Law ⟨p. 64⟩requireth, and what we have performed. The Law requireth whole and perfect obedience, both inward & outward. But this we find not in our selves. Object. That which teacheth us to seek for righteousness elsewhere then in our selves, & doth show us to be guilty of sin, by that we have knowledge of our sin: But the Gospel willeth unto to despair of ourselves, ²& to seek for righteousness elsewhere. Therefore by the Gospel we have knowledge of our sin. Answer. I grant that we have after some sort knowledge of our sin by the Gospel, but not principally. For this is the principal use of the Law. But the Gospel presupposeth that which the Law hath proved, that is, that we are sinners, before it sendeth us to Christ. So also sciences, which are in order directly one under another, take their principles o• chief grounds from the sciences next above them, and proceed according to them, not proving them, but taking them as granted. Again, the Gospel doth only in general accuse us of sin: but doth not in special declare what and which be our sins. But this is the principal and proper function of the Law: therefore do we not put the Law as excluding the Gospel,³ as if by the Law alone we had knowledge of our sin: but chiefly and properly. 2. We know that we have sin in us, by the Law of nature, or by that judgement of conscience, which is in all men. 3. By the testimonies of the holy Scripture, as Psalm 14 and 53. Isaiah 59.4. By the punishments and miseries which follow sin. 5. By the sermons which treat of repentance.

That sinne is not onely in the world, but in vs also,¹ wee know, 1. Out of the Law of God, that is, by comparing our selues and the Law together, in considering what the Law