In the same manner stands the case of the children of God, which are brought up and instructed under the law, as under a master in the liberty of sons.  The law profits them in this, that by the fear of it and the punishment which it threatens, they are driven from sin, at least from the outward work:  by it they are brought to a knowledge of themselves, and that they do no good at all with a willing and ready mind as becomes sons; whereby they may easily see what is the root of this evil, and what is especially needful unto salvation; to wit, a new and living spirit to that which is good:  which neither the law nor the works of the law is able to give; yea, the more they apply themselves to it, the more unwilling they find themselves to work those things which are good.

Here they learn that they do not satisfy the law, altho outwardly they live according to its precepts.  They pretend to obey it in works, altho in mind they hate it; they pretend themselves righteous, but they remain sinners.  These are like unto those of Cain’s progeny, and hypocrites; whose hands are compelled to do good, but their hearts consent unto sin and are subject thereto.  To know this concerning one’s self is not the lowest degree toward salvation.  Paul calls such constrained works the works of the law; for they flow not from a ready and willing heart; howbeit the law does not require works alone, but the heart itself; wherefore it is said in the first psalm of the blest man, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord:  and in His law doth he meditate day and night.”  Such a mind the law requires, but it gives it not; neither can it of its own nature:  whereby it comes to pass that while the law continues to exact it of a man, and condemns him as long as he hath such a mind, as being disobedient to God, he is in anguish on every side; his conscience being grievously terrified.

Then, indeed, is he most ready to receive the grace of God; this being the time appointed by the Father when his servitude shall end, and he enter into the liberty of the sons of God.  For being thus in distress, and terrified, seeing that by no other means he can avoid the condemnation of the law, he prays to the Father for grace; he acknowledges his frailty, he confesses his sin, he ceases to trust in works, and humbles himself, perceiving that between him and a manifest sinner there is no difference at all except of works, that he hath a wicked heart, even as every other sinner hath.  The condition of man’s nature is such that it is able to give to the law works only, and not the heart; an unequal division, truly, to dedicate the heart, which, incomparably excels all other things, to sin, and the hand to the law:  which is offering chaff to the law, and the wheat to sin; the shell to God, and the kernel to Satan; whose ungodliness if one reprove, they become enraged, and would even take the life of innocent Abel, and persecute all those that follow the truth.