worthies like those recorded in the Epistle to the Hebrews, or like the holy Apostles, and shew that they were actuated by a different principle from that of faith in Christ, and then will we confess that the Gospel is not so excellent as it is said to be : but till that is done, we must affirm, that in point of practical efficacy it has no rival ; and that in comparison of it the whole world is only as dung and dross.]
Gal. iii. 10. As many as are of the works of the law are under the curse : for it is written, Cursed is every one that con- tinueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
THE reason that Christianity is so little under- stood, is, that men are not aware of the occasion which there is for such a dispensation as the Gospel contains. They know not the state in which they are by nature ; and therefore they cannot compre- hend the provision made for their recovery from it by grace. If the generality of Christians were asked what God requires of them in his law, or what is now the proper use of the law, they would be able to give, at best, a very imperfect, and probably a very erroneous, account of these things. But it is of the utmost importance that we should understand the law : for, till we do, we can never understand the Gospel.
Now, in the words which we have read, we see,
I. The requirements of God's law —
[The law is contained in the Ten Commandments : and the summary given of it by our Lord is, that we must love God with all our heart and mind and soul and strength, and our neighbour as ourselves.
Now consider what is comprehended in these two command- ments and remember, the obedience to be paid to
them must be perfect ("in all things") ; personal (by " every one of us"); and perpetual (we must "continue in" it, from the first to the latest hour of our life). It is not sufficient that we wish to do them : we must " do them ;" do them " all ;" " every one of us;'' and " continue'"' so to do, even to the end.