seventh commandments, if tlicy do not break them by outward act or deed. And so they live on satisfied with themselves, and quite content with their little bit of religion. Happy indeed are they who really understand God's law !
It teaches us our exceeding need of the Lord Jesus Christ's atonijig Mood to save us. What man or woman upon earth can ever stand before such a God as this, and plead " not guilty ?" Who is there that has ever grown to years of discretion, and not broken the commandments thousands of times ? " There is none righteous, no ! not one.'' Without a mighty Mediator we should every one be condemned in the judgment. Ignorance of the real meaning of the law is one plain reason why so many do not value the Gospel, and content themselves with a little formal Christianity. They do not see the strict- ness and holiness of God's Ten commandments. If they did, they would never rest till they were safe in Christ.
In the last place, this passage teaches us the exceed- ing impoHance of avoiding all occasions of sin. If we really desire to be holy, we must '' take heed to our ways, that we offend not in our tongues." — We must be ready to make up quarrels and disagreements, lest they gradually lead on to greater evils. " The beginning of strife is like the letting out of Avater." — We must labor to crucify our flesh and mortify our members, to make any sacrifice and endure any bodily inconvenience rather than sin.— We must keep our lips as it were with a bridle, and exercise an hourly strictness over our words. — Let men call us precise, if they will, for so doing. Let them say, if they please, that we are '' too particular." We need not be