a less spiritual law than this ; and this will be found both "just and good6/' if we consider, II. Its use —
Many are the uses of this law both to saints and sinners, but there is one use in particular mentioned in the text ; and to that we shall confine our atten- tion. The nature of sin is but little understood —
[The generality think that sin consists only in the out- ward act. Hence they suppose themselves in a good and safe state. This was the case with St. Paul himself hefore his conversion. And it is equally the case with every uncon- verted man.]
But the law is intended to discover sin to us in its true colours —
[Like a perfect rule, it leads to a discovery of our smallest obliquities. When applied to our motives, and principles, and to the manner and measure of our duties, it shews us that our very best actions are extremely defective. Thus it plucks up by the roots all conceit of our own goodness, and causes us to lie low before God as miserable sinners. It was to a view of the law that St. Paul owed his knowledge of his own sinful- ness^ And it is by this light that we must see the evil of our state.]
Application —
1. What " know " we of " sin ?"
[Have we ever seen the spirituality and extent of the law ? Have we ever laid the law as a line to our consciences ? Have we ever discovered by it the obliquity of our best actions ? Have we ever been bowed down under the weight of our transgressions ? Have we ever felt the impossibility of being justified by the law? No attainments in knowledge or good- ness will profit us without this. Paul himself, though he thought well of his own state, was really dead while he was ignorant of the law ; and when the spirituality of the law was revealed to him, then he saw and confessed himself an undone sinner g. Let us then seek increasing views of the law, that we may be made truly humble and contrite.]
2. What know we of the Deliverer from sin ? [There is One who has fulfilled the demands of the law.
His obedience and righteousness will avail for us. Have we fled to him as the fulfiller of the law for us ? Have we taken
e vcr. 12. f The text. s ver. 9.