his commandments" we include a due attention to that great commandment of the Gospel, the believing in our Lord Jesus Christ for salvation ^ We must distinguish carefully between a legal and an evangelical interpretation of these terms, lest we confound the Gospel with the Law : we must guard especially against a reliance on our obedience, as if it could in any way, or in any degree, purchase salvation for us. But, if we be duly jealous on these points, we need never be afraid of asserting, that all true religion is comj)rehended in the duties inculcated in our text. Every thing else is subservient to these things : the most important principles are of little use, except as they conduce to this end. It was for this that the Lord Jesus Christ undertook and executed the whole work of redemption : " To this end Christ both died and rose and revived, that he might be the Lord both of the dead and living^" and " purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works ■=." All the promises of the Gospel are given to us for this end, to " make us partakers of the Divine nature •^," that we may, under their gracious influence, " cleanse ourselves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit, and perfect holiness in the fear of God ^" In a word, it is this which is the scope and end of all our mini- strations ; we are sent " to turn men from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God*^."]
Ill this all is contained that deserves the attention of a rational beingr —