A Treatise on the Law and Gospel

by John Colquhoun

"The subject of this treatise," writes Colqohoun, "is in the highest degree, important and interesting, both to saints and to sinners. To know it experimentally, is to “be wise unto salvation;” and to live habitually under the influence of it, is to be at once holy and happy. To have spiritual and distinct views of it, is the way to be kept from verging towards self-righteousness, on the one hand, and licentiousness, on the other; and to be enabled to assert, the absolute freeness of sovereign grace, and at the same time, the sacred interests of true holiness. Without an experimental knowledge, and an unfeigned faith, of the law and the gospel, a man can neither venerate the authority of the one, nor esteem the grace of the other."

This classic is organized as follows:

Introduction
Chapter I. Of the Law of God in General
Chapter II. Of the Law of God as Promulgated to the Israelites From Mount Sinai
Chapter III. Of the Properties of the Moral Law
Chapter IV. The Rules for Understanding Aright the Ten Commandments
Chapter V. Of the Gospel of Christ
Chapter VI. Of the Uses of the Gospel, and of the Law in Subservience to the Gospel
Chapter VII. Of the Difference Between the Law and the Gospel
Chapter VIII. Of the Agreement Between the Law and the Gospel
Chapter IX. Of the Establishment of the Law by the Gospel
Chapter X. Of the Believer’s Privilege of Being Dead to the Law as a Covenant of Works, With a Highly Important Consequence of It
Chapter XI. Of the High Obligations Under Which Believers Lie, to Yield Even Perfect Obedience to the Law as a Rule of Life
Chapter XII. Of the Nature, Necessity, and Desert of Good Works
To the Reader

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction

253 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 23, 2009

Reviews

[Timothy Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A standard for the subject.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take five stars. Double them. Then give all 10 to this book.

[Brenden Wentworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing short of amazing!
Took a bit longer on this one, as the subject was both heady and the writing was dense. But man, old theologians got so much right, especially regarding the gospel and the clarity of growing in holiness by the gospel. Justified AND sanctified by grace through faith in Christ.
The law says do. The gospel says done.
Distinguishing between law and gospel not only increases your understanding of the scripture but assurance, holiness, and everything in between.
A must read for every Christian who seeks to mature in in their faith and move beyond milk to meat.

[Rachel Winkler · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, this was one of the most beautiful works I’ve read in a long time.

This book was so helpful to me in providing a more robust understanding of the law/gospel distinction and giving me language and categories to articulate it.

Disclaimer: I absolutely loved this book, but I am firmly Baptist so I am using “covenant of grace” slightly differently from Colquhoun and disagreed with most of chapter 2. Nevertheless, this was an excellent book and fully deserving of 5 stars.

I think one of the most helpful takeaways from this book is a clearer understanding of the law as a covenant of works and as a “rule of life in the hand of the Mediator.” The gospel is the fulfillment of the law as a covenant of works (under the Old Covenant), in the active and passive obedience of Christ.

Now under the covenant of grace (the New Covenant), the law is a rule of life (the moral law being summarized in the 10 commandments) that we obey (though imperfectly now) out of gratitude to God for the justification we have already been given freely by grace in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, our Mediator.

Praise God for His amazing grace and mercy and for giving us the law as our guide unto Christ, Who perfectly obeyed it for us and gave us His righteousness that we might trust Him for our justification, walk in good works as fruit of that justification, and glorify and enjoy Him forever!

[Jonathan Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most unexpectedly encouraging books I have read. Certainly one of my all time favorites. Understanding the difference and agreement between the Law and the Gospel is of the utmost importance for the Christian. Perhaps the most encouraging thing about this book was how often I was reminded that my standing before God is secured, not because of anything in me, but because of the perfect righteousness that is in the last Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ — that everything required of me in the Law is super-abundantly provided for me in the person of Jesus Christ!

[Christian Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A significant work on how Christians relate to the law. Colquhoun clearly articulates the need we have for holiness and the hope that we have as Christians in knowing that Christ perfectly upholds the law. A good source if you are looking to understand what role the law plays in our every day lives.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, rounded to 4.

Good, but painfully repetitive.

[Alyosha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rather unspeakably beneficial book. Very technical, succinct explanations of the inner workings between the Law and the Gospel, how they serve one another, how they apply in their respective dispensations etc etc. I do say technical, but for even the less theologically minded folks this book is very digestible, as Colquhoun has a knack for simplifying otherwise complex ideas (Truths). Highly recommend.

[Hunter Strength · Rating 5 out of 5]

Presenting a paedobaptistic understanding of the covenants in the beginning, Colquhoun goes on to articulate a beautifully clear and pastoral explanation of the Protestant understanding of the Law for 1. Declaring the holiness of God. 2. The sinfulness of man. 3. The necessity of Christ. 4. A rule of life for the Christian. He goes further to show the beauty of Christ sparking affections in our soul that pour out into obedient and good works.

[Jonathan Josey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It can be somewhat redundant, but in the best possible way. Colquhoun clearly parses both law and gospel and how they’re applicable for the believer. Very important and encouraging, and littered with Scripture on every page.

[Johnny Zacchio jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any book you've read in the modern day about gospel-centered holiness or holiness that is empowered and motivated by the gospel is most likely drawing upon this wonderful work from the 1800s. I cannot recommend it enough! I believe every preacher/teacher needs to read it.

[Kevin Reep · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The law and the gospel are in such harmony with each other as to have no divided interests.”

Some was good some I disagreed with. On the whole, it was written for a more literate audience than I am accustomed, which made some prolonged portions tiresome.

[Jeff Bys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clear treatment on the distinction of the law and the gospel. Every Christian should read this book.

[Dwain Minor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible book. He works through this issue better than I’ve seen in any other work.

I highly recommend.

[Caleb Lofthus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an in-depth study on the Law & the Gospel. It is long, and a little repetitive, but it will be worth your time. Solid work!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent treatise on the law and Gospel, justification, sanctification. The first few chapters provide a helpful discussion of the Mosaic covenant and third use of the law for believers.

"Were we, indeed, to perform but a single act of obedience more than we owed to God, we would thereby merit some recompense from Him. But this is impossible for us ever to do. It is not the obedience even of a true believer that merits the blessings of salvation for him, but only the meritorious righteousness of Christ imputed to him" (pg. 80-81).

Colquhoun is also very helpful in distinguishing sanctification from justification and the proper role of good works in the life of believers. Good works are Gospel driven, sanctification flows forth from justification. This is very helpful for a proper understanding of both sanctification and assurance for believers.

"To pretend to sanctification, and then to rely on it for justification, is to derive the fountain from the stream, the cause from the effect, and so to invert the order of the blessings from salvation. It is necessary that our sins are forgiven, and our persons accepted as righteous in the sight of God, in order to our being capable of yielding the least degree of acceptable obedience to Him" (pg. 309).

[Matt Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read Romans then read Galatians. They put it into puritan-esque language and you have John Colguhoun’s treatise on Law and the Gospel. I continually referred to it as law and grace because almost the entire book focuses on the difference between the two covenants. I do wish more had been emphasized on why particular acts belong to each one. Even still it , much like the Marrow controversy, attacks pharisaicalism and legalism as well as antinomianism. There is a small discussion at the end on the place of good works but I believe it is brief because it is sprinkled throughout. It is a reminder that obedience is required but never as a merit to eternal life. Much of it reads like Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections and that is a good thing.

[Mason Bruza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a solid treatment on the Law/Gospel Distinction from a Reformed perspective. Which is really interesting because the Law/Gospel Distinction is often associated with Lutheran Theology, and Reformed Christians who use hold to a firm distinction between Law and Gospel are often described as "crytpo-Lutherans", but this work shows that the distinction does indeed have a place in Reformed Theology.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

The contents of this book are incredible. It is imperative that every Christian understand the distinctions between law and gospel. However, this might be a difficult access point to these doctrines, simply because it was written in 1815. If you can handle something of that nature, give this a read!

[Dan Yost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! What an edifying read!

This book is heady but is a passionately delivered Gospel-centered treatise on the covenant of works and the covenant of grace that is meticulously cited with Scripture. John Colquhoun’s work should be the standard reference material regarding the study of the Law and Gospel for all Christians from lay-person to pastor.

[Ronnie Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Law and Gospel

The law gospel distinction is vital in the understanding of the believer and the very essence of true religion. This book is one of the best I have ever read on the subject. Outstanding! Highly recommend!

[Reid Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear teaching on the distinction between the law in the covenant of works and the law of Christ in the covenant of grace. A distinction which affords help for understanding God’s relationship with men in history.

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply superb. The first book on this topic I would recommend to anyone. It's a shame it's not more well known.

[Kyle Gillam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent treatment on distinguishing law and gospel.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read! Should be read by any pastor/student of theology for a right understanding of the law and the gospel!

[Michaela Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one you can’t just speed-read, but it’s very very worth the time.

[Jan Beekman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good layout of the gospel and the law.
A bit repetitive at times!

[Nick Prodromou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on the law and the gospel that I am aware of. It was free on reformation heritage books online. Get a copy and read it.

[Dylan Halter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book on the distinctions between the law and the gospel, full of Christ-centered exposition and application. Doctrinally rich yet practical and evangelistic.