76 – The law

THE LAW

 § 76. To convince the sinner of his innate sinfulness and of his manifold offenses against the holy will of God,¹ of the guilt² incurred by original and actual sin, and of the righteous wrath of God,³ is, since the fall of man, a chief purpose of the divine law.

1. To convince the sinner of his innate sinfulness and of his manifold offenses against the holy will of God,

Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the Law: for I had not known lust, except the Law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

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.

Daniel 9:5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from Thy precepts and from Thy judgments.

2. of the guilt

Romans 2:12–14, 15 For as many as have sinned without Law shall also perish without Law: and as many as have sinned in the Law shall be judged by the Law. (14) For when the Gentiles, which have not the Law, do by nature the things contained in the Law, these, having not the Law, are a law unto themselves: which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another.

Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the Law saith, it saith to them who are under the Law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

3. incurred by original and actual sin, and of the righteous wrath of God,³ is, since the fall of man, a chief purpose of the divine law.

Daniel 9:10–11 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in His laws, which he set before us by His servants the prophets. Yea, all Israel have transgressed Thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey Thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the Law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against Him.

Psalm 51:3–4 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight; that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and be clear when Thou judgest.

Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me.

Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the Law saith, it saith to them who are under the Law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.