14. Thus the first covenant required what is now _afar off_ from all the children of men; namely, unsinning obedience, which is far from those who are _conceived and born in sin_. Whereas the second requires what is nigh at hand; as tho’ it should say, Thou art sin: God is love. Thou by sin art fallen short of the glory of God; yet there is mercy with him. Bring then all thy sins to the pardoning God, and they shall vanish away as a cloud. If thou wert not ungodly, there would be no room for him to justify thee as ungodly. But now draw near, in full assurance of faith. He speaketh, and it is done. Fear not, only believe; for even the just God _justifieth all that believe in Jesus_.
II. 1. These things considered, it will be easy to shew, as I proposed to do in the second place, the folly of trusting in the _righteousness which is of the law_, and the wisdom of _submitting to the righteousness which is of faith_.
The folly of those who still trust, in the _righteousness which is of the law_, the terms of which are, Do this and live, may abundantly appear from thence. They set out wrong. Their very first step is a fundamental mistake. For before they can ever think of claiming any blessing on the terms of this covenant, they must suppose themselves to be in his state, with whom this covenant was made. But how vain a supposition is this? Since it was made with _Adam_ in a state of innocence. How weak therefore must that whole building be, which stands on such a foundation? And how foolish are they who thus build on the sand? Who seem never to have considered, that the covenant of works was not given to man, when he was dead in trespasses and sins, but when he was alive to God, when he knew no sin, but was holy as God is holy: who forget, that it was never design’d for the _recovery_ of the favour and life of God once lost, but only for the _continuance_ and increase thereof, till it should be compleat in life everlasting.
2. Neither do they consider, who are thus _seeking to establish their own righteousness which is of the law_, what manner of obedience or righteousness that is, which the law indispensably requires. It must be perfect and entire, in every point, or it answers not the demand of the law. But which of you is able to perform such obedience? Or, consequently, to live thereby? Who among you fulfils every jot and tittle even of the outward commandments of God? Doing nothing, great or small, which God forbids? Leaving nothing undone which he enjoins? Speaking no _idle word_? Having your conversation always _meet to minster grace to the hearers_? And _whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do_, doing _all to the glory of God_? And how much less are you able to fulfil all the inward commandments of God? Those which require, that every temper and motion of your soul should be holiness unto the Lord? Are you able, To _love God with all your heart_? To love all mankind as your own soul? To _pray without ceasing? In every thing to give thanks?_ To have God always before you? And to keep every affection, desire and thought, in obedience to his law?
3. You should farther consider, that the righteousness of the law requires, not only the obeying every command of God, negative and positive, internal and external, but likewise in the perfect degree. In every instance whatever, the voice of the law is, Thou shalt serve the Lord thy God with all thy strength. It allows no abatement of any kind. It excuses no defect. It condemns every coming short of the full measure of obedience, and immediately pronounces a curse on the offender. It regards only the invariable rules of justice, and faith, “I know not to shew mercy.”
4. Who then can appear before such a judge, who is _extreme to mark what is done amiss_? How weak are they who desire to be tried at the bar, where _no flesh living can be justified_? None of the offspring of _Adam_. For suppose we did now keep every commandment with all our strength: yet one single breach which ever was, utterly destroys our whole claim to life. If we have ever offended, in any one point, this righteousness is at an end. For the law condemns all who do not perform uninterrupted as well as perfect obedience. So that according to the sentence of this, for him who hath once sinned, in any degree, _there remaineth only a fearful looking for of fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries_ of God.