For the biblical record, it is not said the Israelites failed to enter into God's rest because of law-breaking, but because of unbelief. There was abundant provision for the pardon of sins committed against the law. There was no provision for unbelief. The law could not have been given as a covenant of works to Israel for the simple fact that every time Israel sinned against the law, and repented, she was forgiven and the promise renewed.

For the confessional record, the law was "natural" to Adam, written on his heart. The covenant of life was an act of providence, not of creation. It was therefore superadded to the law. One may not read WCF 19 as if the divines intended to equate law and covenant. Law exists independent of covenant, and only by a super-added stipulation and promise is it given a covenant form.

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Yours sincerely,


"Illum oportet crescere me autem minui."