Tags

,

On a chapter on preaching law and gospel, Witsius first defines his terms.

To the determination of which question, we must first know, what is understood by the law, and what by the gospel.  The law here signifies that part of the Divine word which consists in precepts and prohibitions, with the promise of conferring a reward upon them who obey, and a threatening of punishment to the disobedient.  The gospel signifies the doctrine of grace, and of the fullest salvation in Christ Jesus, to be received of elect sinners by faith.  Therefore every prescription of virtues and duties, all exhortations and dissuasions, all reproofs and threatenings, also all the promises of a reward in recompence of perfect obedience, belong to the law.  But to the gospel appertains whatever can give a sinner the hope of salvation, namely, the doctrine concerning the person, offices, states, and benefits of Jesus Christ, and all the promises wherein is included the pardon of sins, and the annexed possession of grace and glory, to be obtained by faith in him.  This is the stricktest notion of both words, to which we must attend, in the whole of this disputation.

Witsius goes on to develop other ways “Law” and “Gospel” are defined, and uses very standard Reformed terminology for his discussion (in fact, he seems to channel WCF 7 before his time!).

A few things worth noting.  First, both Law and Gospel “promise” something.  Even Law promises reward upon obedience, or punishment for disobedience. Thus the difference between Law and Gospel so defined isn’t found in promises/command or obedience/faith (since both have promises and obedience), but rather on the subject of each. Must I obey, or are the promises fulfilled for me in “the benefits of Jesus Christ?”

Secondly, this articulation of Law and Gospel are not bound to the Old and New Testaments. Precepts and prohibitions are found in both testaments, and so are statements that give us the “hope of salvation” in Jesus Christ. Instead, the Law corresponds to “Do,” and the Gospel to “Done.”

Thirdly, it is helpful to see how closely these categories correspond to Witsius’ explanation of the covenants of Works and Grace. “In Scripture, we find two covenants of God with man: The Covenant of Works, otherwise called the Covenant of Nature, or the Legal; and the Covenant of Grace… (citing Romans 3:24) by the law of works, understanding that doctrine which points out the way in which, by means of works, salvation is obtained; and by the law of faith, that doctrine which directs by faith to obtain salvation (Economy, I.49).” So for Witsius, Law and Gospel closely corresponds to the covenantal administration.