II. The conformity which Christians also are to bear, both to the law and to him who fulfilled it —
Doubtless, every thing which Christ has done for us, entails on us an obligation to conform ourselves to his mind and will.
But the circumstances before considered, suggest to us some appropriate and important duties —
1. We must renounce all legal hopes, that we may depend on Christ —
[The particular injunction to go forth to Christ without the camp, intimates, that we must turn our back upon all the legal services, and trust alone in that sacrifice which he offered without the gate. The importance of this observation would be more strongly felt by an Hebrew convert, who was assailed with arguments respecting the obligations of the Mosaic law. But it is, in reality, no less important to us: for, if we do not trust in the blood of bulls and goats, we are ever ready to substitute sor/iething in the place of Jesus, as the ground of our confidence. But services, of whatever kind, whether ceremonial or moral, must be renounced in point of dependence. They must not even be blended in any degree with the atonement of Christ, as though the performance of them could procure us an interest in this. We must be "justified by his blood," and by that alone. If St. Paul himself desired to be found in Christ, not having his own righteons7iess^, much more must we. Let us remember then what, not the Gospel only, but even the law itself, speaks to us on this subject ; and let us look for a par- ticipation in the great Sacrifice, not for, or hy our works, but by faith only.]
2. We must forsake all worldly lusts, that we may walk with Christ —
[What a perfect deadness to the world did Jesus manifest, when he went forth to the place of execution, giving up him- self to that accursed death, from which he could have been so easily delivered ! But the world had nothing that could fascinate him : its cares, its pleasures, its honours, its society, were all alike indifferent to him: He had one only wish, to fulfil his Father's will, and finish the work he had been com- missioned to perform. In turning his back on that devoted city, he felt no regret, except indeed for the blindness and hardness of the people's hearts. Thus must we come out
<: Phil. iii. 9.