Note the confession and the acknowledgment by the conscience. Even that the Lord clothed them did something to strengthen their consciences, and is unmistakably a sign of the incarnation of Christ. We recalled before how David was undone by the voice of the prophet Nathan. You may add to these examples many stories from the gospels. From these examples I believe it can be understood what the difference is between law and gospel, and what the power of the gospel is as well as that of the law.
Christians well know how much joy and gladness that consolation brings.
And here belong those happy words the prophets use to describe Christ and the Church. Thus Exodus, chapter 19, describes with that a horrifying spectacle the law was given, and we have just reviewed this above. The law demands the impossible, and the conscience, convicted of sin, is assailed from all directions. In this condition, dread and confusion so trouble the conscience that no remedy appears anywhere unless the very One who cast it down raises it up. Some seek consolation by their own strength, efforts, works, and acts of appeasement.