June 6

The Lord is our Lawgiver.—Isaiah 33:22.

JESUS came into the world, to be the sum and substance of all the types and shadows, and to abrogate those observances appointed under the Levitical economy. Thus the law of ceremonies he hath for ever abolished. The moral law he came to fulfil in his own person and life, and he magnified all its enactments, and made it honourable. By his obedience to the law, he laid the basis of our recovery from the condemnation and curse of the law. But he also came to give laws to the world; to be the Lawgiver of his church, and of the christian dispensation to the end of time. He has therefore spiritualised the ten commandments, and given them again to his people. It is impossible to read his Divine sermon on the mount, and not perceive, that that law is as binding as ever. Indeed, that law is founded in the unalterable nature and propriety of things, and is a transcript of the Divine mind, therefore will never be annihilated. Then Jesus has not only spiritualised this law, and renewed it afresh, but he has also given unto us, the law of universal love and mercy to men. We are to love our enemies—to pray for those who curse and revile us—and to be merciful, even as he our Lord is merciful. Then he has also given to us the law of Faith. Hence we read of the law of faith, and the word of faith. And Christ seemed to suspend all his blessings upon obedience to this law. "If thou canst but believe, all things are possible." "Be it unto thee according to thy faith." "He that believeth and in baptised shall be saved." So

Christ also has given unto us the law of Ordinances. He hath established the ordinance of a preached gospel, with which, he has pledged his presence to the end of the world. He also instituted the ordinance of Baptism, and united it with believing; so that it must exist so long as the law of faith is enforced, and must be its invariable accompaniment. Then he appointed too, the ordinance of the supper, by which we commemorate his dying love, and have mutual fellowship with him, till he come again.