Law/Gospel Quotes - Ursinus, Luther and Bunyan

In What Does The Law Differ From The Gospel? by Zacharias Ursinus (1534-1583)

Zacharias Ursinus was the primary author of the Heidelberg Catechism. This short extract is taken from section four of Ursinus' exposition of question and answer 92 in his Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism (english translation by G.W. Williard, Columbus OH, 1852; reprinted by P & R). The electronic edition of this text was scanned and edited by Shane Rosenthal for Reformation Ink. It is in the public domain and may be freely copied and distributed.

In What Does The Law Differ From The Gospel?
The exposition of this question is necessary for a variety of considerations, and especially that we may have a proper understanding of the law and the gospel, to which a knowledge of that in which they differ greatly contributes. According to the definition of the law, which says, that it promises rewards to those who render perfect obedience; and that it promises them freely, inasmuch as no obedience can be meritorious in the sight of God, it would seem that it does not differ from the gospel, which also promises eternal life freely. Yet notwithstanding this seeming agreement, there is a great difference between the law and the gospel. They differ,
1. As to the mode of revelation peculiar to each. The law is known naturally: the gospel was divinely revealed after the fall of man. 2. In matter or doctrine. The law declares the justice of God separately considered: the gospel declares it in connection with his mercy. The law teaches what we ought to be in order that we may be saved: the gospel teaches in addition to this, how we may become such as this law requires, viz: by faith in Christ. 3. In their conditions or promises. The law promises eternal life and all good things upon the condition of our own and perfect righteousness, and of obedience in us: the gospel promises the same blessings upon the condition that we exercise faith in Christ, by which we embrace the obedience which another, even Christ, has performed in our behalf; or the gospel teaches that we are justified freely by faith in Christ. With this faith is also connected, as by an indissoluble bond, the condition of new obedience. 4. In their effects. The law works wrath, and is the ministration of death: the gospel is the ministration of life and of the Spirit (Rom. 4:15, 2 Cor. 3:7).

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                                           Martin Luther
Luther: The Law And Gospel Are Found Throughout Scripture. 
But you might say, “Isn’t there also much Law in the Gospels and in the Epistles of Paul, and again many promises in the books of Moses and the prophets?” Answer: There is no book in the Bible in which both are not found. God has always placed side by side both Law and promise. For He teaches by the Law what is to be done and by the promises where we are to receive that. But the New Testament is especially called “Gospel” above the other books because it was written after the coming of Christ, who fulfilled the divine promises, brought them to us, and publicly proclaimed them by oral preaching, which previously were concealed in the Scriptures. Therefore, hold to this distinction, and no matter what books you have before you, whether of the Old or of the New Testament, read them with this distinction so that you observe that when promises are made in a book, it is a Gospel book; when commandments are given, it is a Law book. But because in the New Testament the promises are found so abundantly, and in the Old Testament so many laws are found, the former is called “Gospel” and the latter, “the Book of the Law.”
Martin Luther | A Year in the Gospels with Martin Luther (p. 64–65). Concordia Publishing. Kindle Edition.

Distinguishing between the law and the gospel is the highest art in Christendom, one who every person who values the name Christian ought to recognize, know, and possess. Where this is lacking, it is not possible to tell who is a Christian and who is a pagan or Jew. That much is at stake in this distinction.
Martin Luther, The Distinction between the Law and Gospel,” January 1, 1532, Willard Burce, translator, Concordia Journal 18 (April 1992), 153.

                                          John Bunyan

He that is dark as touching the scope, intent, and nature of the law, is also dark as to the scope, nature, and glory of the Gospel – Bunyan

obedience from wrong spirit - First, then, that man that doth take up any of the ordinances of God--namely, as prayer, baptism, breaking of bread, reading, hearing, alms-deeds, or the like; I say, he that doth practise any of these, or such like, supposing thereby to procure the love of Christ to his own soul, he doth do what he doth from a legal, and not from an evangelical or Gospel spirit - Bunyan, The Doctrine of law and grace unfolded.
 
Further example in prayer.  - for instance, prayer--it is a Gospel command; yet if he that prays doth it in a legal spirit, he doth make that which in itself is a Gospel command an occasion of leading him into a Covenant of Works, inasmuch as he doth it by and in that old covenant spirit. - Bunyan, The Doctrine of law and grace unfolded
 
Saved from – by free grace, by rich grace, by unchangeable grace. And you are saved from the curse of the law; from the power, guilt, and filth of sin; from the power, malice, madness, and rage of the devil; from the wishes, curses, and desires of wicked men; from the hot, scalding, flaming, fiery furnace of Hell; from being arraigned as malefactors, convinced, judged, condemned, and fettered with the chains of our sins to the devils to all eternity; and all this freely, freely by His grace (Rom 3:24) by rich grace unchangeable grace; for, saith He, "I am the LORD, I change not: therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed" (Mal 3:6). This is grace indeed.
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“from a Gospel spirit, and not from a legal, natural principle” Bunyan

He that is under the law, as it is a Covenant of Works (in the “do this and live” sense), is like the man that is bound by the law of his king, upon pain of banishment, or of being hanged, drawn, and quartered, not to transgress any of the commandments of the king; so here, they that are under the Covenant of Works (“do this and live”), they are bound, upon pain of eternal banishment and condemnation, to keep within the compass of the law of the God of Heaven. – Bunyan The Doctrine of law and grace unfolded

For justice once offended knoweth not how to show any pity or compassion to the offender, but runs on him like a lion, takes him by the throat, throws him into prison, and there he is sure to lie, and that to all eternity, unless infinite satisfaction be given to it, which is impossible to be given by any of us the sons of Adam. – Bunyan.