PATRICK HAMILTON ….. THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL

THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL

The law shows us our sin; the Gospel shows us a remedy for it.

The law shows us our condemnation; the Gospel shows us our redemption.

The law is the word of wrath; the Gospel is the word of grace.

The law is the word of despair; the Gospel is the word of comfort.

The law is the word of unrest; the Gospel is the word of peace.

The law says, Pay thy debt; the Gospel says, Christ has paid it.

The law says, you are a sinner, despair, you shall be dammed; the Gospel says, your sins are forgiven you, be of good comfort, you shall be saved.

The law says, Make amends for your sins; the Gospel says, Christ has made it for you.

The law says, Where is your righteousness, goodness, and satisfaction; the Gospel says, Christ is your righteousness, your goodness, and satisfaction.

The law says, you are bound and obliged to me, to the devil, and to hell; the Gospel says, Christ has delivered you from them all.

 

Patrick Hamilton 1503/4 – 29 February 1528. ( Burnt at St Andrews for his Faith)

From Patrick’s Places

The Nature and the Office of the Law, and of the Gospel

A disputation between the Law and the Gospel.

 

Lightly edited by Jeff Maxwell  2016