accepted, instead of perfect obedience : and that the defects of our obedience will be made up by the merits of Jesus Christ.
To such persons I would say, Read the words of our text. Christ says he did welcome to destroy the law; and you afhrm that he did ; that he has softened its rigours, and dispensed with those high attainments which the perfect law of God requires. You will reply perhaps. If these things be not dis- pensed with, how are we to be saved? I answer. They are not dispensed with, no, not one of them : it is as much our duty to fulfil the whole law of God as it was Adam's duty in Paradise : nor, if we would be saved by the law, can we be saved on any lower terms. But of salvation by the law we must not entertain a thought : we are condemned by the law, and must flee as condemned sinners to Jesus Christ, that he may wash us from our sins in his blood, and clothe us in his own unspotted robe of righteousness and salvation. Some will exclaim. What 7%ew doctrine is this ? I answer, this was the way of salvation revealed to Adam after the Fall; and it has been continued in all successive ages, till Christ himself came. Then was this mystery more clearly revealed to the world ; and from henceforth the voice of God to every human Being is, " He that believeth on the Son of God hath eternal life ; but he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him."
Lay aside then your erroneous notions respecting a mitigated law and sincere obedience ; and seek salvation in God's only dear Son, in whom alone it can be found^.]
2. To regulate our lives —
[Whilst some persons object to salvation by faith alone as a licentious doctrine, others complain of us as raising the standard of holiness so high, that none, except a few devotees, can pos- sibly attain it. But I would ask these objectors. Which of God's laws are we authorized to set aside ? Which are we even suffered to palliate and soften ? Our blessed Lord has, with the strongest possible asseveration, said, that " not so much as a jot or tittle of the law shall ever pass away :" how then can we presume to say, It shall pass away 1 Suppose loe do lower the standard of obedience in compliance with your wishes, what will it profit you, unless he do it also ? We should only deceive you, and ruin ourselves together with you. But you will say, ' It is hard to have so much required of us.' Well, suppose it be hard ; if it be required, we must do it : our only alternative is, to obey or perish. But " there is not any one of his com- mandments grievous :" on the contrary, they all together form " a light and easy yoke :" and so far are they from being
1 Acts iv. 12. 1 Cor. lit. 11.