Calvin points out that “a good conscience is nothing but inward integrity of heart, and that the fulfillment of the law is love from a clear conscience and sincere faith.” He further says that his conscience was subject to the observance of God’s law even if no one else lived on earth. (Inst. III. 14.16). A guilty conscience comes then, from violating God’s law – sin is lawlessness.
How Adam Broke the Ten Commandments
Edward Fisher says in his Marrow of Modern Divinity that Adam broke the Ten Commandments “at one clap.” Here’s what he says:
- He chose himself another god when he followed the devil.
- He idolized and deified his own belly (he made his belly his god).
- He took the name of God in vain, when he believed him not.
- He kept not the rest and estate wherein God had set him.
- He dishonored his Father who was in heaven; and therefore his days were not prolonged in that land which the Lord God had given him.
- He massacred himself and all his posterity.
- From Eve he was a virgin, but in eyes and mind he committed spiritual fornication.
- He stole, like Achan, that which God had set aside not to be meddled with; and this his stealth is that which troubles all Israel – the whole world.
- He bare witness against God, when he believed the witness of the devil before him.
- He coveted an evil covetousness, like Amnon, which cost him his life, and all his progeny.
Edward Fischer (The Marrow of Modern Divinity, p. 58)
Capacity & Command
Augustine points out in his work On the Spirit and the Letter, that “God does not measure the precepts of his law according to human powers, but where he has commanded what is right, he freely gives his elect the capacity to fulfill it.” (NPNF V. 83 – 114)
The Threefold Use of the Law
The Threefold Use of the Law (triplex usus legis)
- The Civil Use (usus civilis, usus politicus)—the law is given to restrain sin = the Preparative use
- The Pedagogical Use (usus paedagogicus, usus elenchticus)—the law is given to convict of sin = the Preservative use
- The Normative Use (usus normativus, usus didacticus)—the law serves a rule of conduct = the Restorative use
Living Out the Will of God
“In holiness we own God as our supreme Law-giver, and in patience we own him as our supreme Lord.”
Thomas Manton, Works, 1:120 -123