Yesterday we looked at section 6 of chapter 19 of the Westminster Confession of Faith. Here is what that section says:
- True believers are not under the law as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified, or condemned [l];
- Yet the law is of great use to them, as well as to others; in that, as a rule of life informing them of the will of God, and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly [m];
- The law discovers the sinful pollutions of their nature, hearts and lives [n];
- By examining themselves through the law, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against sin [o],
- By examining themselves by the law they may come to a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ, and the perfection of His obedience [p].
- The Law is likewise of use to the regenerate, to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin [q]:
- The threatenings of the Law serve to show what even their sins deserve; and what afflictions, in this life, they may expect for them, although freed from the curse thereof threatened in the law [r].
- The promises of the Law, in like manner, show them God’s approbation of obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof [s]:
- Blessings and curses are not due to them by the law as a covenant of works [t].
- A man’s doing good, and refraining from evil, because the law encourages to the one and deters from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law: and not under grace [u].
Day 62: Of the Law of God, part 3
Westminster Larger Catechism
Q. 97. What special use is there of the moral law to the regenerate?
A. Although they that are regenerate, and believe in Christ, be delivered from the moral law as a covenant of works [f], so as thereby they are neither justified [g] nor condemned [h]; yet, besides the general uses thereof common to them with all men, it is of special use, to show them how much they are bound to Christ for his fulfilling it, and enduring the curse thereof in their stead, and for their good [i]; and thereby to provoke them to more thankfulness [k], and to express the same in their greater care to conform themselves thereunto as the rule of their obedience [l].
[f] Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. Ver.6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, Ver.5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
[g] Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
[h] Galatians 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
[i] Romans 7:24-25 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Ver.25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Ver.14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Romans 8:3-4 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Ver.4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
[k] Luke 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, Ver.69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; Ver.74 That he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, Ver.75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Ver.13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Ver.14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
[l] Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Ver.12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Ver.13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Ver.14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Confession of Faith, Chapter 19
VII. Neither are the forementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace of the Gospel, but do sweetly comply with it [x]; the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely, and cheerfully, which the will of God, revealed in the law, requires to be done [y].
[x] Galatians 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
[y] Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.
With Jeremiah 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
We are His People!
End of Lesson, Day 63
For Further Study:
CHAPTER XIX. - Of the Law of God - Commentary by Gordon H. Clark
Chapter XIX. Of the Law of God - Exposition by Robert Shaw
Chapter 19: Of the Law of God - Commentary by A.A. Hodge
For Whom Was God's Law Intended?
The Law AND The Saint, by Arthur W. Pink
• INTRODUCTION
• THE NEGATIVE SIDE
• THE POSITIVE SIDE
John Cotton was invited to attend the Westminster Assembly. He wrote An Abstract of the Laws of New England. The "Body of Liberties" shows which Old Testament texts were followed as the basis of Massachusetts law (see especially §94).
James B. Jordan, Law of the Covenant - pdf
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