The Law & The Gospel
All prescriptions of duty belongs to the law ... the law of God originated in his relation to men as moral agents; and in his necessary dominion over them, of which it is a natural expression: but the gospel, in his royal, supreme prerogative; it being the result of his mere, sovereign pleasure. The former [the law] considers them as rational creatures that are bound to obey: the latter [the gospel], as guilty creatures, who deserve to suffer. The precepts of divine law are the language of stern authority: the doctrines of the gospel are the voice of condescending mercy. In that [the law], justice unsheathes the sword and demands vengeance: in this [the gospel], mercy exhibits pardon, and proclaims peace. Divine law is the awful ministration of death, as the desert of sin: the everlasting gospel is the good news of life as the effect of boundless grace. That [the law] by a righteous charge of guilt and of deserved ruin, stops the mouth: this [the gospel], by procl