And the apostle's sympathy WBB excited on their behalf all the more because he under- stood their case ao well. I. ZEALOUS BELIGIOUBNEBB HAY BE HIBDffiEOTED BY IGNORANCE. The apostle does not charge the Jews with neglecting, far lees with despising, religion. In their own way they were very religioua, and many of them were found willin" to put forth great efforts and endure many sacrifices for thejt religion. They h~ "a zeal for God." They bated idolatry; they revered their &riptures, their «.mple, their priest- hood, their sacrifices and festivals; they prided themselves upon their ceremonial purity and their scrupulous observances. Yet, with all this, they were not commended by the apostle. Their zeal was without knowledge. We meet with similar characters in our own time. Some persons consider that if there is religiouaness with sincerity that is sufficient. It is a great mistake. We need light as well as warmth, knowled"; 0 as well as zeal. If truth has been revealed, our first duty is to learn and receive it. II. THERE 18 A FALSE AND UNOHBIBTIAN CONOEP"rION OF RIGHTEOUS~ESS. The Jews are censured for seeking to establish "their own righteousness." The Law, indeed, was good in itself. For those who perfectly obeyed it, it was a means of salvation. But the Law is condemnation to those who trust in it and yet do not conform to it. A.nd, as a matter of fact, the Law was "weak through the flesh," was insufficient for the salvation of sinful men. It is no foundation for a sinner's hopes. Further, the Hebrews were too much accustomed to regard their religious acts as services rendered, for which Divine recompense and payment are due. This is a notion still prevalent, but it is radically unscriptural and unreasonable. We cannot be jnstified by the works of the Law, and we can earn nothing as a right from God. III. THE TRUE BIGHTEOUSNESB IS THAT WHICH IS THROUGH CHBIBT JESUS. Observe: 1. The relation between Christ and the Law. The word "end" may be taken literally. The Law, as a dispensation, came to an end when Christ appeared. The Law was to the Israelites a conductor to lead them to Jesus. But the word "end" may mean more than this; it may mean the purpose and design of the Law. The Law was given in order to reveal both the righteousness of God and the sinfulness of man. It thus prepared the way for the coming of him whose obedience fulfilled the Law, and whose redemption secured pardon and liberty for those whom the Law was powerless to save. 2. Observe the way in which the higher righteousness is secured through Christ. This is described by three several expressions in this passage-knowledge, subjection, belief. The iguorant are without the means of obtaining justification; the unsubmissive rebel against the means; the unbelieving reject the means. It is the will of God that faith should be &ccounted for righteousness. This is a principle as old as Abraham; yet its most mighty working is apparent in the case of those who believe in Jesns. The doctrine of justific&tion by faith is here plainly revealed, and its superiority to all rival doctrines plainly exhibited.
Vers. 5-10.-Graci'ous terms of salvation. The blessings of the gospel were designed for, and were offered to, Jews o.nd Gentiles alike, with the most perfect impartiality. The descendo.nts of Abraham, the disciples of Moses, did indeed enjoy an advantage; but, instead of profiting by it, they turned it agsinst themselves. The apostle here teaches that if any of his kinsmen and countrymen come short of Christi:m privilege, the fo.ult is their own, nnd cannot be laid to the Divine Author. St. Paul so present8 the gospel o.s to exhibit- !. 1TB CONTRAST TO THE LAW. The former dispensation promised life to those who obeyed the Law. By life is meant more than continuance of existence and national and territorial advantages; the expression conveys the promise of Divine favour and acceptance. Perfect obedience would secure life; but such obedience no Hebrew, and indeed no mortal man, hllB rendered. The old covenant did indeed assure to the upright and pious Jew the blessings of salvation, and enjoined obedience upon all its sons. But it was only human pride and self-righteousness which could deem the liie of even the holiest suoh as to merit the favour and fellowship of God. Christiauity, on the other hand, provides 1111 spiritual blessings as a free .,.ift-tho gift of grncti. II. ITs BIMPLIOITY AND AOOESSIDIT,ITY. 'l'o exhibit, this, ilie apostle borrows buguo.ge from tho Book of Deuteronomy. What the Lord, br Moses, said of the commandment published to Israel, thnt Paul snys of the gospel. 'The Divine righteousness speaks; THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS, [mt. x. 1-21.