own
express meaning, "I came not to destroy the law but to fulfil it," Matt.
v. 17. II. The end is either the intention or scope of a thing, the
original word imports both. III. There is an end principally and directly
intended in the thing, or work itself, and an end adventitious, and of the
work. We may speak either of the end the law, of its own nature, is
ordained unto, or the end of the Lawgiver in promulgating the law. These
may be different. Next, concerning the law, consider, I. That the law may
be taken strictly in a limited sense, as it comprehends only the command,
and the promise of life, and the curse on the breach of it, and in this
sense, it is frequently taken in Paul's epistles to the Romans, and
Galatians, and opposed to faith and the gospel, as the gospel contains
promises of salvation to penitent sinners. Or, II. It may, or useth to be
so extended, as to comprehend all the administrations made under Moses, or
all God's mind revealed under the Old Testament; now, in this sense, it
comprehends the gospel, and covenant of grace in it, as we shall hear.
Faith in Christ is the intention and scope of the law. Indeed, faith in
Jesus is not the intention of the law itself, as it is only made up of
commandments, promises, and curses. For the law as it commands, hath
nothing to do, but to be a rule and obligation to men, and as it curses,
it condemns men, and speaks nothing of Jesus Christ, or a way to make up
the breach of the law. The gospel is not contained in the law, but rather
accidental to it. For Jesus Christ comes with the gospel, as if some
unexpected cautioner would come in, when the Judge is, as the angel that
held Abraham's hand,--when he was to slay his son, and offer him up a burnt
offering,--giving sentence to deliver him. It is an exception from the
curse.

But Christ is directly intended and pointed out by the law. If ye consider
the whole administration of Moses, that is, the law and covenant of works,
though it was preached after the fall, yet it was never preached alone
without the gospel, and so if ye consider the whole administration of
God's mind and ordinances, Christ is principally aimed at. For, 1. The
doctrine Moses delivered in mount Sinai contained a covenant of grace. If
you look to the preface of the ten commandments, it is even the chief
gospel promise, and article of the covenant. For how could God come to
terms with men after sin, but in terms of grace? and on no other terms