take the matter, and stand to the terms of the covenant of
works, as if they were able to perform them. But God did not leave them
so. For he adds a ceremonial law, and sacrifices, to shadow out Christ
Jesus. Now, says God, though ye have undertaken so well, yet I know you
better than ye do yourselves. Ye will never keep one word of what you say.
Therefore, when ye sin bring a sacrifice, and look to my Son, the Lamb
that is to be slain and offered up, and ye shall have pardon in him.

II. Christ Jesus apprehended by faith, is the accomplishment and
perfection of the law. 1. Because Christ Jesus, or faith laying hold upon
him, accomplishes the same end that the law was ordained for of itself.
The law was appointed to justify men, that it might be a rule of
righteousness according to which men might stand before God and live. Now
when the law was weak through the flesh, and could not give life, (Rom.
viii. 3; Gal. iv. 21.) and the law ordained to life, wrought more death,
and made sin exceeding sinful, (Rom. vii. 10-13.) therefore Jesus Christ
came in the flesh, to do what the law was unable to do, and to bring many
sons unto glory, that the just might live by faith, Gal. iii. 11. The law
should never have gotten its end, no man should have stood before God, but
the curse only would have taken place, and the promise would have been of
no effect. Therefore, Jesus comes, and gives obedience to the law, and
delivers men from the curse of it, and by faith puts men in as good, and
even in a better condition, than they would have been by the promise; so
that the justified sinner may come before God, as well as innocent Adam,
and have as great confidence and assurance, and peace by faith, as he
could have had by inherent holiness. Imputed righteousness comes in as a
covering over the man's nakedness, and doth the turn(463) of perfect
inherent holiness.

2. Christ, or faith laying hold on him, is the end or accomplishment of
the law, because faith in Christ fulfils the righteousness of the law, in
respect of a believer's personal obedience. Although the believer gave not
perfect obedience, and so cannot stand in terms of justice, yet he gives
sincere and upright obedience, which the law should never have got. The
command wrought sin and death, by occasion of corruption, and never would
any point of it be fulfilled by men. For as long as the curse was
standing, no obedience could be acceptable till justice was satisfied, and
thoug