relation to each other, then is the one the shadow, whereof the other is the substance ; the body, whereof the other is the soul.
This seems to be the import of the passage which I have just read. The Apostle is speaking of glorious truths veiled under the law''; which, though in itself carnal, was full of '' life and spirits" Now, says he, '' the Lord is that Spirit : and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty ;" that is, where the true spiritual import of the Scriptures is understood, and Christ is clearly seen in them, and received into the heart through them, " there is that very liberty" which they were designed to impart.
The words thus explained will give me occasion to take a view of the whole revelation of God :
I. In its substance, as an exhibition of Christ —
The Old Testament, comprehending the law and the prophets, is one great body : but Christ is the soul that animates it throughout. He is the sub- stance of,
1. The law—
[The moral law may seem to consist only of prohibitions and injunctions ; enforced with promises to obedience, and threatenings to disobedience. But it is, in fact, a revelation of Christ, inasmuch as it " shuts us up to Christ, and is a schoolmaster to bring us to him*^:" for, in reality, every command, whilst it shews us how defective our obedience is, directs us to Christ; who has fulfilled it in its utmost extent, and has thereby wrought out a perfect righteousness for his believing people. This is the account given of it by an in- spired Apostle, who says, " Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believe th'^."
The ceremonial law was nothing but a mass of " carnal ordinances," which had no force or value in themselves ; but, as representations of Christ and his perfect work, were of infinite value. In them " the Gospel was preached, precisely the same Gospel as is now preached unto us^." Christ was contained in every part of them^; and was, in fact, the sub- stance of which they were the shadow ^. This may be seen in all its sacrifices, &c. &c. ]
b ver. 13, 14. ^ John vi. 63. ^ Qal. iii. 22—24.
e Rom. X. 4. f Heb. iv. 2. s l Cor. x. 3, 4.
^ Heb. X. 1. Col.ii. 17.