The truth is, that neither the moral nor ceremonial law was given for the purpose of enabling any one to obtain, by means of it, a justifying righteousness. They were both given with a view to prepare men for that better dispensation which was in due time to be introduced ; the moral law shutting them up under condemnation ; and the ceremonial law opening to them a door, \yhereby they might find access to that better dispensa- tion, which should in due time be revealed"*.
It will naturally, then, be asked, ' Did the legal dispensation actually " kill" all who lived under it?' I answer, God for- bid. There were multitudes saved under that dispensation ; not, however, through any influence of the law itself, but by looking forward to the Gospel, and by apprehending that Saviour who was held forth to them in their types and shadows. " Abraham by faith beheld the day of Christ, and rejoiced ;" and so did thousands of his believing posterity. The giving of the law made no difference in that respect. The use of the law was to shew men their need of a better dispensation, and to prepare them for it ; that, when the time for the full manifestation of the Gospel should arrive, the Saviour might be welcomed by his own people, and the whole world be made partakers of his salvation ^.]
The office of giving life was reserved for the Gospel —
[The Gospel contains the substance, of which the law was the shadow. The co??ima?z^.y of the Gospel are different : the law says, " Do :" the Gospel says, "Believed" The 2Jromises of the Gospel are different. Under the law no mention was made of spiritual assistance to any one : but under the Gospel, the Spirit is promised to every believer^: and "grace sufficient for him," how great soever his necessities may "be '\ In fact, the Gospel provides a remedy for every want of man. Is he guilty? it provides a righteousness wherein he may stand faultless in the presence of his God, even the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Is he a polluted creature ? it provides, that through the operations of the Holy Spirit he shall " be sanctified wholly in body, soul, and spirit." However weak he may be in himself, " God's strength shall be perfected in his weakness ;" so that he may boldly say, " T can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me." Is he deserving of the lowest hell ? by embracing this Gospel he shall obtain all the glory and felicity of heaven.]
If it be asked, Whether the Gospel produces this
'I Gal. iii. 21— 24. ^ Gal. iii. 19. f Rom. x. 5—13.
a Acts ii. 38, 39. " 2 Cor. xii. 9.