I. In order to establish the perpetuity of the law as a rule of life, let it be remembered, that the law is a perfect transcript of the mind and will of God. It arises necessarily out of the relation which we bear to him and to each other. It did not depend on any arbitrary appointment of the Deity, (except, indeed, so far as the Sabbath is concerned,) but would have been equally in force whether it had been the subject of a particular revelation or not. Allowance, indeed, will, as St. Paul informs us, be made for those, who, for want of a revelation, have but very imperfect con- ceptions respecting the Divine will0 : but, wherever that is known, it must be a rule of conduct to man, and will be a rule of judgment to God. No change of circumstances whatever can alter its demands. In whatever situation we be, it must be our duty to love God with all our heart, and our neighbour as ourselves : nor can this law by any means be dis- pensed with. In truth, God cannot dispense with any part of this law ; for if he did, he would authorize men to despoil themselves of his image, and to rob him of his glory.
That the law is still a rule of duty to the people of God, appears from that injunction of St. Paul, in the thirteenth chapter to the Romans : " Owe no man any thing, but to love one another : for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." Then, specify- ing the duties contained in the second table of the law as essential constituents of true love, he adds, " Love worketh no ill to his neighbour : therefore love is the fulfilling of the lazvA" Consequently, if it is our duty to exercise love, it is our duty to fulfil the law, which is in all respects identified with love.
But to insist on this is needless : for, instead of the law being superseded by the Lord Jesus Christ, it is in his hand more imperative than ever, and comes to us with tenfold obligations to obev it : and this is the point to which I mean to call your particular attention. To say that " we are not without law to God," is comparatively a small matter : the point I
c Rom. ii. 14, 15. d Rom. xiii. 8—10.