June 17

"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." Romans 7:12.

IT is of the greatest importance that we should have clear and distinct views of Christian doctrines. Many individuals have very confused ideas of the precise nature and uses of the law and Gospel, and confound one with the other. The passage before us contains a high encomium on the moral law. Let us contemplate it in

THE PROPERTIES BY WHICH IT IS DISTINGUISHED.

It is holy. Its Author is so, and nothing of an opposite tendency could possibly emanate from him. Its matter is holy, being itself a transcript of the mind and will of God. Its requirements are so; it enjoins holiness, and by the most powerful motives encourages us to pursue it.

It is just. With regard to the whole government of God, and his dealings with mankind, we may say, "The ways of the Lord are right." The law is impartial, and renders to every man according to his works.

It is good. "The law is good, if a man use it lawfully." One has observed, that it is essentially, originally, materially, morally, pleasantly, and profitably good to a believer. It is intended to do us good — to promote our best interests.

THE ENDS FOR WHICH IT IS GIVEN. In general, it is for the glory of the great Lawgiver, and the benefit of his subjects. More particularly, it is of use

To the sinner. "The law is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ." It opens the wound, and the Gospel discovers the remedy. By the law is the knowledge of sin, by the Gospel is the knowledge of salvation; the one shows us our emptiness, the other points us to Christ's fulness; the one thunders vengeance, the other whispers peace.

To the saint. It is true, in one sense, we are not under the law, that is, as a covenant of works; but it is equally true, in another sense, that we are under the law, as a rule of life. If the Gospel shows us our privilege, the law points out to us our duty. If the Gospel tells us how we may die happily, the law tells us how we may live righteously. If the Gospel imparts light to the mind, the law is a lamp to the feet. If the Gospel is a glass in which we behold God in the face of Jesus Christ, as unfolding the riches of his grace; the law is a mirror in which we see him in his own glory, as displaying the rectitude of his government. Let us therefore go to the law to see what God would have us to be, and to the Gospel to behold what he can make us; and rejoice that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.