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Melanchthon |
"The
third use of the Law pertains to the regenerate. Insofar as the regenerate have
been justified by faith, they are free from the Law. This must be said under
this locus. For they are indeed freed from the Law, that is, from the curse and
condemnation and the wrath of God, which is set forth in the Law, that is to
say, if they remain in the faith and fight against sin in confidence in the Son
of God, and overcome the terrors of sin.
"Yet
in the meantime it must be said that the Law which points out the remnants of
sin, in order that the knowledge of sin and repentance may increase, and the
Gospel also must proclaim Christ in order that faith may grow. Furthermore, the
Law must be preached to the regenerate to teach them certain works in which God
wills that we practice obedience. For God does not will that we by our own
wisdom set up works or obedience, but He wills that we be ruled by his word, as
it is written, "In vain do they worship me by the commandments of men, Matt.15:9 . Again, "Your
Word is a lamp unto my feet, "Ps. 119:105 ."
"When
human reason is not directed by the Word of God, it is very likely to lack
something. For it is seized by wicked desires or gives its approval to
iniquitous works, as is apparent in the laws of the gentiles. The divine order
that we are to obey God remains unchangeable. Therefore, even though we are
free from the Law, that is from damnation, because we are righteous by faith
for the sake of the Son of God, yet because it pertains to obedience, the Law
remains, that is, the divine ordinance remains that those who have been
justified are to be obedient to God. Indeed, thy have the beginning of
obedience which we shall now discuss under its own locus as to how it is
pleasing to God. These comments suffice to give us instruction regarding the
threefold use of the Law."
Melanchthon,
Phillip, Loci Communes, 1543,
trans. J.A.O. Preus (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1992) 74.
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