The Purposes of the Law and the Gospel

by John Bradford 1548

© 01-12 Precised in contemporary English by Colin Melbourne

The following article by John Bradford, paraphrased here in modern English, served as a Preface to a larger work entitled, The Places of The Law and of the Gospel by Petrus Artopeus.

Bradford was a Lancashire evangelist, and fellow of Cambridge University, who was burnt at the stake in 1555 under Queen Mary's Roman Catholic inquisition for proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Whoever truly understands the different purposes of the Law and the Gospel from the Holy Scriptures, cannot be seduced from the truth by any man's doctrine, nor can they read the Scriptures without being edified and blessing others. But he who does not understand the purposes of the Law and the Gospel, even if he were a doctor of divinity, and could recite the entire Bible from memory, will both be deceived, and deceive others and the whole world (as sadly, we've witnessed in Europe).

How can people read the Law and not feel justly condemned, pricked in their conscience by it. It is plainly impossible to keep God's Law because of our sinful human natures. But unless we admit this, how can the Gospel be sweet to us? How is Christ of any benefit to those who feel no need for a Saviour? What need has a healthy person of a doctor?

Paul says, "The Law is our schoolteacher, who points us to Christ." But those blind and senseless to the Law, how may it teach them to turn to Christ? How can it teach those who don't want to learn? They think they can fulfil the Law, so have no need of a Saviour. But if they saw the spiritual truth with the eyes of their spirit, would they waste time disputing justification by faith? Would they teach that man can, of himself, please God if they understand the Law?

It appears therefore, by these things, that either the Law has not been their schoolteacher, or they have been negligent, forgetful, or proud and disdainful pupils. Because they do teach Christ alone gives free pardon of sins, as everyone knows. But if they really knew Christ, they would know that He is a perfect workman. They'd be ashamed to say, or think, that Christ's work was incomplete, or imperfect in any way. Yet it appears (though they don't say so openly) that they believe Christ's work unfinished.

Why, I ask you, do you say the Mass, as you teach, is a sacrifice to take away the sins of the living and the dead? Where is this taught in the Scriptures? Does this law bring you to Christ? "Yes," you will say, "for in it we offer Christ." But Saint Paul said, "Christ offered himself once and for all," And so I ask you, look at the purpose of the Law, which is, according to God's Word and teaching, to expose the poison in a person's own heart.

The Law will not leave man in arrogance or presumption, but will drive him to desperation. The Law pulls a man down to Hell's mouth, as it is written, "Thou art he that leadest to Hell." The Law fills men with grief, and heaviness, unless help comes from Heaven, and even with blasphemy against God and His ordinances, as the story of Job, properly understood, shows. So you see, when the Law is schoolteacher, it brings people to have a deeply humble heart and mind, at the very least.

So, you offerers, (because you claim to offer Christ) what humility is in you (if, as you believe, you offer Christ) when you offer that which no angel, no saint, no patriarch, no prophet, no man, may or can offer? Are you not good pupils, when you are taught to be humble, you exalt yourselves above angels? I say, no one is suitable, in Heaven or on Earth, to offer that offering by which God's wrath, which our sins deserve, was appeased and removed, except He that is of both natures, God and Man, Jesus Christ. He was the Sacrificer, and the Sacrifice, He was the Offerer, and the Lamb slain, slain for our sins.

Alas that such arrogance has crept into man's heart, not only to rob Christ of His most glorious office, but also to exalt yourselves above angels, and to make yourselves check-mates with Christ!

Saint Paul says, By one sacrifice he has made perfect them which are sanctified forever. Heb. 10:14 KJV

What do you say to this? Does not your offering make the offering which Christ made imperfect? For whatever is added to perfection implies imperfection. Take note good reader, therefore that if you are sanctified, purged of your sins, anointed with the Holy Spirit, and made a child of God, that it is all done by the one sacrifice of Christ's Body on the Cross, brought into you by your faith in that Sacrifice. Or, if you are not yet sanctified, if ever you want to be sanctified or saved, it must only be through faith in Christ and His finished work.

This is how we know that these men, despite their great learning (as some of them have had) have never understood the Law of God. For they never found sweetness in the Gospel of Christ. As well as this, there have been learned men teaching abstaining from certain meats, worshipping images, creeping to the Cross, confessionals, holy water, holy bread, pilgrimages, indulgences, and so on, as necessary for salvation. And this has been the result of them not understanding the Law, nor the Gospel, though they can both preach and recite the whole Bible from memory!

Anyone who feels the Law working in their heart, is in despair, and never satisfied unless the Gospel, and joyful news of Christ is brought to them.

So we must grasp the different purposes of the Law and the Gospel. Test yourself to see if the text of the Law fills you with fear and dread, even tremble and quake at the justice of God, for God Himself has spoken it, and therefore it has to be true. "Heaven and earth will pass away, before one jot or tittle of the Law be unperformed."

Whoever does not respond to the Law in fear of God's wrath, assuredly is in an evil state.

Clearly, when the Law of God is not feared, so God is not feared, proving that there's no faith. How can you believe that God will fulfil His promise to you, when you don't fear the truth of His Word to fulfil His threat? God is not a liar. So don't be deceived, test yourself to see if you are in the faith. For unless you tremble and quake at God's justice in the Law, you have no faith, you are a hypocrite, because there is no faith where God's Law is not believed.

So I say, look in the mirror of God's Law, look and you'll see you're justly condemned, and God's anger at sin, which, if you dread, will drive you not only to change, but also to be sorry for and hate your wickedness. It will bring you to the edge of despair, from which nothing can rescue you except the good news of Christ, that is, the Gospel. For, just as God's Word binds you, so nothing but God's Word can release you. And until you come to this point, you know nothing of Christ.

Build a solid foundation, start at the Law, and if because of your sin and sinful nature, it frightens you, and brings you to Hell's mouth, then come to Christ, come to the Gospel. Then you'll be a good pupil, and praise your Teacher, then you'll feel the benefits of Christ, then you'll love Him. And your neighbour for His sake.

Then it will make your ears burn, and your heart bleed, to hear or see anything put in Christ's place. Then you will look forward to the coming of your Lord, and weep to hear evil spoken of His Name.

May He grant you this for His mercy's sake. Amen.

John Bradford 1548