Conscience and the Law

Conscience, when it is really awakened by the Law, confesses herself condemned, and ceases to uphold her plea of innocence. How can it be otherwise when the Law is so stern? Then, peradventure, the man will say, "I mean to do better in the future;" to which the Law replies, "What have I to do with that? It is already due that you should be perfect in the future; and if thou should be perfect, in what way would that wipe out your old offenses? You have only done what you ought to have done." But the man cries, "I do repent of having done wrong." "Ay," says the Law, "but I have nothing to do with repentance." There is no provision in the Ten Commands for repentance . Cursed is the man that breaks the Law; and that is all that the Law has to say to him. Over the top of Sinai there were flames exceeding bright, and a trumpet sounded exceeding loud, but there were no drops of the rain of pity there. Storm and tempest, thunderings and lightnings appalled the people, so that they trembled in the camp, and such must be the sights and sounds we witness as long as we are under the Law.