6: Although true believers be not under the law, as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified, or condemned;[375] yet is it of great use to them, as well as to others; in that, as a rule of life informing them of the will of God, and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly;[376] discovering also the sinful pollutions of their nature, hearts and lives;[377] so as, examining themselves thereby, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against sin,[378] together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ, and the perfection of His obedience.[379] It is likewise of use to the regenerate, to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin:[380] and the threatenings of it serve to show what even their sins deserve; and what afflictions, in this life, they may expect for them, although freed from the curse thereof threatened in the law.[381]The promises of it, in like manner, show them God’s approbation of obedience,and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof:[382] although not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works.[383] So as, a man’s doing good, and refraining from evil, because the law encourages to the one and deters from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law: and not under grace.[384]
7: Neither are the forementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace of the Gospel, but do sweetly comply with it;[385] the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely, and cheerfully, which the will of God, revealed in the law, requires to be done.[386]
Daily Confession 