blends faith and works effectually undermines the whole authority of the law. He undermines,
1. Its commanding power —
[He is striving to do something which may serve in part as a ground of his justification ; but he can do nothing which is not imperfect ; therefore he shews that he considers the law as less rigorous in its demands than it really is : consequently he robs it in a measure of its commanding power.]
2. Its condemning power —
[He never thoroughly feels himself a lost sinner ; he does not freely acknowledge that he might be justly cursed even for his most holy actions; he even looks for justification on account of that which in itself deserves nothing but condemna- tion : and what is this but to lower its condemning power ?]
Thus the advocates for the law are, in fact, its greatest enemies ; whereas the advocates for the Gospel are the truest friends to the law also — Infer —
1. How absurd is it for persons to decide on reli- gion without ever having studied its doctrines !
[In human sciences men forbear to lay clown their dogmas without some previous knowledge of the points on which they decide ; but in theology, all, however ignorant, think themselves competent to judge. They indeed, who are taught of God, can judge ; but unenlightened reason does not qualify us to determine. Let us beware of indulging prejudices against the truth. Let us seek to be " guided into all truth by the Holy Spirit."]
2. How excellent is the salvation revealed to us in the Gospel !
[Salvation by faith is exactly suited to man's necessities. It is also admirably calculated to advance the honour of God. Every man that is saved magnifies the law, and consequently the lawgiver. The commanding and condemning poiver of the law are equally glorified by the sinner's dependence on the obedience and sufferings of Christ : but in those who are con- demned, its sanctions only are honoured. Thus is the law more honoured in the salvation of one, than in the destruction of the whole human race. Let all then admire and embrace this glorious salvation.]