Nothing less than this will suffice to prove our sincerity —
[It is allowed, without any great difficulty, that heinous violations of God's law will affect our eternal state : but smaller transgressions are considered as of but little consequence. But this does not accord with our Lord's assertions in the text. There we are told that the breach oione single law will be fatal, yea, though it be the least of all the commandments of God. We are not to understand that the unintentional and unal- lowed defects in our obedience will prove fatal to us : for who then could be saved ? but any evil which we allow and justify, or, as the text expresses it, which we "do and teach," will certainly exclude us from the kingdom of heaven. The text might seem to import that such conduct would only diminish the degree of our happiness in heaven : but our Lord elsewhere warns us, that it will entirely exclude us from heaven ; and that our only alternative is, either to part with sin altogether, or to suffer the penalty of sin, eternal death ^.]
But where obedience is unreserved, it will receive a glorious recompence from God —
[That there is no merit in our obedience, is allowed: but that our obedience shall receive a reward of grace, every page
of the inspired volume declares The more perfect our
conformity to God's law, and the more energetic our mainte- nance of its authority have been, the higher testimonies of God's approbation we shall most assuredly receive ; and our exalta- tion in heaven shall be proportionably " great." Peculiar sanctity and zeal may subject us to reproach from men; but it will meet with honour from God : for he has said, " Them that honour me, I will honour."]
Learn then from hence the importance of, L A renewed heart —
[The unregenerate heart " neither is, nor can be subject to God's law'"." We "must be born again," and be " renewed in the spirit of our minds," before we can truly say, " T delight to do thy will, O God; yea, thy law is within my heart"."
Let us then seek to be made " new creatures in Christ
Jesus." Then shall we be prepared both to " do" the com- mandments ourselves, and to " teach" them to those around us.]
2. A faithful ministry —
[Many, in fact, say unto their ministers, " Prophesy not unto us right things; prophesy unto us smooth things;
• Matt, xviii. 8, 9. ^ Rom. viii. 7. " Fs. xl. 8.