Chapter 30. Of the Use of the Law.
A GOLDEN CHAIN
Chapter 30. Of the Use of the Law.
The use of the Law in unregenerate persons is threefold.
The first is to lay open sin, and make it known. Rom 3.20. By the works of the Law, no flesh shall be justified in His sight. For by the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
The second use is accidentally, to effect and augment sin by reason of the flesh, which causes man to decline from what is commanded, and to ever incline to what is prohibited. Rom 7.8-10, Sin took occasion by the commandment, and worked in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law, sin is dead. For I once was alive without the law; but when the commandment came, sin revived, but I died. And that commandment which was ordained unto life, was found to be to me, unto death.
The third use is to denounce eternal damnation for the least disobedience, without offering any hope of pardon. This sentence the law pronounces against offenders, and by it — partly by threatening, partly by terrifying — it reigns and rules over man.
Rom 3.19, We know that whatever the Law says, it says to those who are under the Law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world be culpable before God. Gal 3.10, As many as are of the works of the law, are under the curse. For it is written, Cursed is every one who does not continue in all that is written in the book of the Law, to do them. 2Cor 3.7-9, If the ministration of death, written with letters and engraved in stones, was glorious, …how shall the ministration of life by the Spirit, not be more glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation were glorious, etc.
The reason why sin reigns in man, is to urge sinners to flee to Christ. Gal 3.22, The Scripture has enclosed
WILLIAM PERKINS
all under sin, that the promise by the faith of Jesus Christ should be given to those who believe. Verse 24,
Therefore the law was our schoolmaster to Christ. Heb 12.18-20.
The continuance of this power of the law is perpetual, unless a sinner repents. And the very first act of repentance so frees him, that he shall no longer be under the law, but under grace. 2Sam 12.13, Then
David said to Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord.
For which Nathan said to David, The Lord also has forgiven your sin, and you shall not die. Rom 6.14, Sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.
If, therefore, you seriously desire eternal fire, first take a narrow examination of yourself, and the course of your life, by the square of God's law. Then set before your eyes the curse that is due to sin, that thus bewailing your misery, and utterly despairing of your own power to attain everlasting happiness, you may renounce yourself, and be provoked to seek and sue unto Christ Jesus.
The use of the Law in those who are regenerate, is far otherwise. For it guides them to new obedience in the course of their life, which obedience may be acceptable to God by Christ. Rom 3.31, Do we therefore, through faith, make the Law of no effect?
God forbid! No, we rather establish the Law. Psa 119.24, Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors. Verse 105, Your word is a lantern to my feet, and a light to my paths.