11. * What is the difference then between the _righteousness which is of the law_, and the _righteousness which is of faith_? Between the first covenant, or the covenant of works, and the second, the covenant of grace? The essential, unchangeable difference is this: the one supposes him to whom it is given, to be already holy and happy, created in the image and enjoying the favour of God; and prescribes the condition whereon he may continue therein, in love and joy, life and immortality. The other supposes him to whom it is given, to be now unholy and unhappy; fallen short of the glorious image of God, having the wrath of God abiding on him, and hastening through sin, whereby his soul is dead, to bodily death, and death everlasting. And to man in this state, it prescribes the condition, whereon he may regain the pearl he has lost: may recover the favour, and the image of God, may retrieve the life of God in his soul, and be restored to the knowledge and the love of God, which is the beginning of life eternal. 12. Again, the covenant of works, in order to man’s _continuance_ in the favour of God, in his knowledge and love, in holiness and happiness, required of perfect man, a _perfect_ and uninterrupted _obedience_, to every point of the law of God. Whereas the covenant of grace, in order to man’s _recovery_, of the favour and life of God, requires only _faith_; living faith in him, who through God justifies him that _obeyed not_. 13. * Yet again: the covenant of works required of _Adam_ and all his children, to _pay the price themselves_, in consideration of which, they were to receive all the future blessings of God. But in the covenant of grace, seeing we have nothing to pay, God _frankly forgives_ us _all_: provided only, that we believe in him, who hath _paid the price for us_; who hath given himself a _propitiation for our sins, for the sins of the whole world_. 14. Thus the first covenant required what is now _afar off_ from all the children of men; namely, unsinning obedience, which is far from those who are _conceived and born in sin_. Whereas the second requires what is nigh at hand; as tho’ it should say, Thou art sin: God is love. Thou by sin art fallen short of the glory of God; yet there is mercy with him. Bring then all thy sins to the pardoning God, and they shall vanish away as a cloud. If thou wert not ungodly, there would be no room for him to justify thee as ungodly. But now draw near, in full assurance of faith. He speaketh, and it is done. Fear not, only believe; for even the just God _justifieth all that believe in Jesus_. II. 1. These things considered, it will be easy to shew, as I proposed to do in the second place, the folly of trusting in the _righteousness which is of the law_, and the wisdom of _submitting to the righteousness which is of faith_.