The Scots Confession

Chapter 15 - The Perfection of the Law and Imperfection of Man

The Law of God we confess and acknowledge most just, most equal, most holy, and most perfect; commanding those things which, being wrought in perfection, were able to give life, and able to bring man to eternal felicity. But our nature is so corrupt, so weak, and imperfect, that we are never able to fulfil the works of the Law in perfection; yea, “If we say we have no sin (even after we are regenerate), we deceive ourselves, and the verity of God is not into us.” And therefore it behoved us to apprehend Christ Jesus, with his justice and satisfaction, who is the end and accomplishment of the Law, to all that believe, by whom we are set at this liberty, that the curse and malediction of God fall not upon us, albeit that we fulfil not the same in all points. For God the Father beholding us in the body of his Son Christ Jesus, accepteth our imperfect obedience as it were perfect, and covereth our works, which are defiled with many spots, with the justice of his Son. We do not mean that we are so set at liberty, that we owe no obedience to the Law (for that before we have plainly confessed); but this we affirm, that no man in earth (Christ Jesus only excepted) hath given, giveth, or shall give in work, that obedience to the Law which the Law requireth. But when we have done all things, we must fall down and unfeignedly confess, “That we are unprofitable servants.” And therefore whosoever boast themselves of the merits of their own works, or put their trust in the works of supererogation, they boast themselves of that which is not, and put their trust in damnable idolatry.