16. Three differences between the Law and the Gospel
Three differences between the Law and the Gospel They differ in generality, evidence, efficacy.
(1.) First, in regard of the generality, ’We all now with open face,’ &c. Moses only beheld the glory of the Lord in the mount, but ’we all,’ not all men, but all sound Christians that have their eyes opened; all sorts of believers, behold this glory. In spiritual things there is no envy. Every one may be partaker in solidum, entirely of all. Envy is in the things of this life, where the more one hath the less another hath. It is a matter of glory and excellency the more are partakers of spiritual things. The Jews rejoiced that the Gentiles should be called, and we now rejoice in hope, and should rejoice marvellously if we could see it effected, that the Jews should be taken in again; the more the better; ’we all.’
(2.) And then for evidence. ’We behold with open face,’ that is, with freedom and boldness, which was not in the time of the law. For they were afraid to look upon Moses when he came down from the mount, his countenance was so majestical and terrible. But ’we all with open face,’ freely, boldly, and cheerfully, look upon the glory of God in the gospel. The light of the gospel is an alluring comforting light; the light of the law was dazzling and terrifying.
’As in a glass.’ They beheld God in a glass, but it was not so clear a glass. They beheld him as it were in the water, we behold him in crystal. We see God in the glass of the word and sacraments, but they in a world of ceremonies. Christ was to them swaddled and wrapped up in a great many types.
(3.) And then for the power and efficacy, the gospel is beyond the law. The law had not power to convert, to change into its own likeness; but now the gospel, which is the ministry of the Spirit, it hath a transforming changing power, into the likeness of Christ whom it preacheth. ’We are changed from glory to glory.’ It is a gradual change, not all at once, but from glory to glory, from one degree of grace to another; for grace is here called glory. We are changed from the state of grace till we* come to heaven, the state of glory. And then the cause of all. It is ’by the Spirit of the Lord.’ The Spirit runs through all. It is ’by the Spirit of the Lord’ that we behold. It is the Spirit of the Lord that takes away the veil. It is by the Spirit that we are changed from glory to glory.