XV - The perfection of the Law, and the imperfection of man

Levit. 18.5. Gal. 3.12. 1 Tim. 1.18. Rom. 7.12. Psal. 19.7, 8, 9. Deut. 5.29. Rom. 10.3. 1 Kin. 8.4, 6. Chron. 6.36. Eccles. 7.22. Prov. 20.9. 1 Ioh. 1.8. Iohn 1.18. Rom. 10.4. Gal. 3 13. Deut. 27.26. Phil. 2.15. Isai. 64.6. Luk. 17.10. The Law of God we confesse and acknowledge most just, most equall, most holy and most perfect, commanding those things, which being wrought in perfection, were able to give life, and to bring man to eternall felicity. But our Nature is so corrupt, so weak and imperfect, that we are never able to fulfill the works of the Law in perfection; yea, if we say we have no sin (even after we are regenerate) we deceive our selves, and the Verity of God is not in us. And therefore it behoveth us to apprehend Christ Jesus with his Justice and Satisfaction, who is the End and Accomplishment of the Law to all that believe, by whom we are set at this liberty, that the curse and malediction of God fall not upon us, albeit we fulfill not the same in all points: For God the Father beholding us in the Body of his Son Christ Jesus, accepteth our unperfect obedience, as it were perfect, and covereth our works which are defiled with many spots, with the Justice of his Son. We do not mean that we are set so at liberty, that we owe no obedience to the Law (for that before we have plainly confessed) but this we affirm, That no man in earth (Christ Jesus onely excepted) hath given, giveth, or shall give in work, that obedience to the Law, which the Law requireth; But when we have done all things, we must fall down and unfainedly confesse, That we are unprofitable servants. And therefore whosoever boast themselves of the merits of their own works, or put their trust in the works of Supererogation, they boast themselves of that which is not, and put their trust in damnable Idolatry.