Ver. 34.-The Law and the gospel. 1. It may be rightly said that true religion is essentially the same everywhere and at all times. Whithersoever and wbensoever we look, we shall find the same cardinal elements-the fear of God, the love of God, respect for our own spiritual nature, regard for the rights and claims of others, abstinence from that which is immoral, kindness and helpfulness, etc. 2. It may also be truly said that in the Law there was much more than many have supposed of those elements which are prominent in the gospel: more of spiritual freedom, of joy in God, of happy and sacred fellowship than we are apt to associate with "Mount Sinai," and " the com- mandments which the Lord commanded Moses." When, therefore, we draw a. distinc- tion between the Law and the gospel, it must be remembered that it is not without important qualifications; that the Law bad, in most cases, an aspect which was essentially Christian; and that, similarly, the gospel in most cases has an aspect which is legal. With this in mind, we may draw the contrast- I. THAT THE LAW WAS PREPARATORY .AND PROPHETIC; the gospel is final and in fulfilment of that which had been anticipated. 'fhis, especially, in regard to sacrifice and offering. II. THAT THE LAW WAS PRECEPTIVE; the gospel is suggestive. The one supplied a multitude of rules for the regulation of worship and of daily life, the other has few "commandments." Its positive precepts a.re small in number, but it lays down those principles and implants that spirit by which the right and the wrong course are sug- gested, to be pursued or shunned by the obedient heart. ill THAT THE LAW WAS PROHIBITIVE; the gospel is inspiring. Not wholly, but i;triltlngly, in ea.eh case. The Law continually said imperatively, "Thou shalt not;" the gospel says encouragingly, "_Wilt not thou?" T~e Law ~nterdict_ed yery ma.!1y things, and an Israelite was obedient very much accordrng to hie consc1ent1ous avoid- ance of that which was forbidden. The gospel incites to feelings, words, actions of goodness, wisdom, grace, helpfulness; and a. Christian man is obedient and acceptable in proportion as he opens his heart to heavenly inspiration, and ,is stirred to be and do that which is noble and Christ-like, IV. THAT THE LAW JUDE ITS APPEAL TO HUMAN FEARj the gospel to human love. Jehovah was, indeed, presented often to the Hebrew as his Redeemer from bondage; but, upon the whole, he wa.e so revealed as, above everything, to strike the soul with pro- foundest reverence and awe. The Jew never ceased to hear the thunderinge and see .he lightnings of Sinai. The motto of the devout Israelite was this-" I fear God." In the gospel God is 1DAnife~ted in Jesus Christ, our Saviour, our Friend, our sympathizing Oil, XXVU, 1-34,] THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. 435
High Priest; e.nd, while not without deepest reverence, we feel that "the love of God in Christ Jesus" is the spring and the strength of our devotion; it is the key to which the sacred music of our life is set, V. THAT THE LAW HAD RESPECT TO EARTHLY LIFE; the gospel to the farthest future. 'l'he Law said," Do this, and thou shalt live long in the land;" "do thiR, and the rains shall fall and the vines shall bear and the barns be full ; " but the gospel says, "Do this-repent, believe, follow Christ; and while there shall be sufficiency of present food for present need, there shall be abounding grace in the heart, fruitfulness in the life, peace in death, and a long eternity of sinless service and unclouded joy in the presence of the King, in the home of God.-C. Vera. 1-34.-Vows and dues. I. We find here a representation of the union of righteousness and grace in the kingdom of God, The sacredness of vows and dues ; but the estimation, by the priest, aaording to the ability of him that made the vow. The Law makes its claim, but God provides against its rigour. II. Comparison of the Law of God as given to his ancient people with the imperfect and cruel laws of merely human origin. Especially as to human sacrifices. 'l'he only human life which could be vowed to God was that which was already doomed by right of war or otherwise. The animal sacrifices, being strictly prescribed, excluded human sacrifice. The true religion is the only protection of human life. Those who profess enthusiasm of humanity, instead of and as a substitute for faith in Christ, have no security to offer that their inadequate theory of human obligation will extirpate cruelty and promote the happiness of the world. III. The commutation of vows and dues pointed to the pitifulness of Jehovah, who, while upholding the inviolability of his Law, would yet provide for the weakness of man. " He knoweth our frame," etc. These glimpses of love in the midst of the thunders of Sinai were the promises of a revelation of the Divine nature in which love should predominate-a new covenant, which should take up into itself all that was enduring and Divine in the old. Underneath all the regulations of Leviticus lies the original promise of redemption, and through all the vail of the Mosaic economy shines the Shechinah glory of God manifest in the flesh-the Prophet, Priest, and King, who came, not to destroy the Law, but to fulfil it, and in whom all the promises of God are Yea and Amen.-R. HOMILETICAL INDEX
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THE ·BOOK OF LEVITICUS.