aside by the gospel. Some on the other hand think that the law is still binding on na, and that we are to be saved by obedience to it, — ^bat that its requirements are lowered by the gospel, and can be met by our imperfect obedience. Both these views are erroneous and unscriptural. Against both let us be on our guard.
Let us settle it in our minds that " the law is good if man use it lawfully." (1 Tim. i. 8.) It is intended to show us God's holiness and our sinfulness, — to convince us of mi and to lead us to Christ, — to show us how to live after we have come to Christ, and to toach us what to follow and what to avoid. He that so uses the law will find it a true friend to his soul. The established Christian will always say, " I delight in the law of Ood after the inward man." (Eom. vii. 32.)
Notes. Luke XVI. 13—18.
13. — [No tervant can terve two maiten.] These words are evidently connected with tha preceding verses, in which our Lord had taught the duty of faithfulness in money matters. They were intended to answer the secret ohjection of some, that a man might divide his diligence between the things of this world and the things of the world to come, and so reap the full benefit of both. Against this secret thought the proverbial saying of this verse is a leatimooy.
IHaU the one and hve the other.'] The remark made on a similar egression about " hating," in a former chapter, (Lulie xiv. 2S,) applies to this expression. The meaning appears to he that the man will lo^e one more than the other.
14. — IDerided.] — This word is only found in one other place in the New Testament. (Luke ixiii. 36.) Our English wora " sneered" answers to it more closely than any other.
The consciences of the Pharisees were evidently pricked by out lord's remarks about money, and the necessity of faithfulness in the management of it.
15. — [JuMtify yourgelves be/ore men.'] The PbariBSes made great professions of righteousness and holiness before men, while their heartswere full of wickedness and covetousness. Our Lord warns