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The Law and the Gospel

Rom 8:3-4; 5:5-15

L.M.
BERRIDGE

THE law demands a weighty debt,
And not a single mite will bate;
But gospel sings of Jesus' blood,
And says it made the payment good.

2 The law provokes men oft to ill,
And churlish hearts makes harder still
But gospel acts a kinder part,
And melts a most obdurate heart.

3 "Run, run, and work," the law commands
Yet finds me neither feet nor hands;
But sweeter news the gospel brings;
It bids me fly, and lends me wings.

4 [ Such needful wings, O Lord, impart
To brace my feet and brace my heart;
Good wings of faith and wings of love
Will make a cripple sprightly move. ]

5 With these a lumpish soul may fly,
And soar aloft, and reach the sky;
Nor faint nor falter in the race,
But cheerly work, and sing of grace.