L. M.

The law and gospel distinguished.

The law commands, and makes us know

What duties to our God we owe;

But 'tis the gospel must reveal

Where lies our strength to do his will.

The law discovers guilt and sin,

And shows how vile our hearts have been;

Only the gospel can express

Forgiving love and cleansing grace.

What curses doth the law denounce

Against the man that fails but once!

But in the gospel Christ appears

Pard'ning the guilt of num'rous years.