of holiness, which God hath before ordained, that we should walk in them.

VII. These views display the importance and influence of the law as a rule of life. It is set up, as an eternally unalterable standard. We are redeemed by the Son of God, and have been delivered from its condemnation, that we may walk according to its precepts in newness of life. Our conformity to it, is promised us in the Scriptures, as one of the blessings and privileges of the new covenant, and is made the characteristic of our union with Christ; and for this end the Saviour has illustrated and explained the commands which it imposes. This aspect of the divine law is most important. And though we are set free from its condemnation forever, by the perfect obedience, and the atoning death of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are still under the government of its precepts, as administered and enforced by Christ our Lord forever; and not one jot or tittle of it can be allowed to pass till all be fulfilled.

Let me urge you, not to lower these demands of the law in any aspect of its operation, in your views of its claims. As a covenant and dispensation, it cannot recede from one of its just and righteous demands. They have been perfectly fulfilled in the work of our Lord Jesus Christ. As a rule for personal character in man,-its requsitions are of equal force and permanence. It enjoins upon us, to attain a love for God with all our heart and strength-and to love all others as ourselves. Do not propose to yourselves, any lower standard than this, to govern you in your daily walk in life. Be not satisfied with the standard and judgment of the world around you. Be not contented with the performance of a mere round of outward duties,-or a few kind and beneficent acts. We are to die altogether unto sin, and to live unto righteousness, with our whole heart and spirit. We are to make it our ob

ject, to have the whole body of sin within us, subdued and

mortified; to delight ourselves in the law of God in the spirit of our minds, and to perfect holiness in his fear. While the precepts of the law are our rule,-the life of Christ who hath fulfilled them is our example. We are to walk as he walked; to purify ourselves as he was pure; to be as he was in the world. Nothing must satisfy our desires and determinations, short of absolute perfection of character; longing and labouring ever, to be holy as God is holy, and perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect.

O, let us, then, be willing servants, and cheerful subjects of these divine precepts, and this perfect government! Consider the obedience which God requires of you, perfect freedom, and run the way of his commandments with enlarged and thankful hearts. When this spirit is in the heart, there is liberty and comfort,—and the commandments of God are not grievous. Let me beseech you then, to give yourselves up unreservedly unto God. While we profess the system of truth which has been here laid down, they who do not enter into, or adopt our views, will judge of them, and of us, by the manifest holiness of our own characters and lives. They must see in us, what the real tendency of the truth of Scripture is. The honour of God and of his Gospel depends much upon the character of professing Christians. And I desire that you who profess yourselves to belong to Christ, may be wanting in nothing. Strive to walk worthy of your high vocation in every duty. By abounding in every virtue, and every praise, make it evident, that you have no wish, to sin because grace abounds,— but are cheerfully and wholly under the law to Christ. In this way, are we to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, to prove ourselves indeed the disciples of Christ, and to be made effectual instruments of doing good to others. Let us press forward unceasingly to attain the measure of the stature of perfect men in Christ Jesus,-and thus labour to honour him, who hath bought us for his glory, in our bodies and spirits which are his.

LECTURE X.

THE WORTH OF MAN'S OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW.

Blessed are they who do his commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.-REVELATIONS, XXII. 14.

THE salvation which the Gospel offers to man is entirely free. It is a fundamental principle in it, that it is not of works, lest any man should boast. God hath saved us, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy. Yet the assurance is uttered with equal solemnity and precision, without holiness, no man shall see the Lord. It becomes therefore a most important topic for us to consider, what is the worth of man's obedience? What effect has it upon his salvation? Under what aspect is this obedience required of him? Salvation from sin,-offering everlasting life, and happiness in that life,-is the great promise of the Gospel, and the object to which the Gospel leads our desires and exertions. To attain this blessing, it urges us to forget the things which are behind; to count all other things as loss; to look not at the things which are seen, and are temporal. But while it offers this salvation freely, through the grace of God, it opens but one path to its attainment,-one highway, which is called the way of holiness. This is presented to us in our text. They who do the commandments of God, have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

The everlasting portion of the people of God, which we are thus to seek, is presented to us here, as a dwelling in a

city, offering the idea of security to the redeemed soul,-and as partaking of the tree of life, presenting the image of per fect satisfaction and enjoyment. They who are walking in the way which leads to this security and enjoyment, and are preparing on the earth, to become partakers of this inheritance of the saints in light,-are those who are doing the commandments of God,-to whom his holy law is a rule of life,-and who are renewed in holiness according to its precepts, after the image and example of Christ. While this text sets before us, the two points, of the end of glory which is to be attained, and the way of holiness through which it is to be attained,― it presents as the general subject of this discourse, the worth and influence of man's personal obedience to the divine law.

I. The great end and result to which the Christian's life on earth is to lead, is the everlasting security and happiness of heaven,-an abode in the city of God,-and an eternal nourishment from the tree of life.

1. The blessedness of the saints is a glorious and everlasting abode; a dwelling place for the whole assembly and Church of the first born, whose names are written in heaven. The Lord Jesus calls it his "Father's house." One Apostle describes it as a "city which hath foundations,"—"a continuing city," "whose builder and maker is God;"-" the Jerusalem which is above;" and another calls it, "the new Jerusalem which descendeth from God out of heaven." The latter writer dwells at length on the circumstances and appearance of this heavenly city;-he describes its walls and gates, and inhabitants, in expressions which are adapted to fill the Christian mind with the most elevated and glorious conceptions;all combining the two themes of amazing splendour, and immaculate purity. The main idea suggested by this figurative description of the portion of the saints, is perfect and everlast

t

ing security. Within walls and bulwarks of salvation, the redeemed soul is defended forever; and by an entrance through the gates which are opened to him, he receives a just and regular admittance to this defence. He has now, as the gift of grace, a kingdom which cannot be removed. He was once wandering abroad, as a guilty and condemned rebel. He fled from the avenger of blood, under a consciousness that he deserved to die. The violated law uttered forth its denunciations against him, and the offended justice of the law-giver demanded the punishment of his sin. The plain in which he was pursued, furnished him no shelter. His own strength supplied him no means of defence. Wearied, desponding, and condemned, he was ready to perish in his guilt, when the glad tidings of the Gospel directed him to a city of refuge,— and urged him to run thither, and be safe. Through the door which was opened, in the offered obedience and death of the Lord Jesus, whose invitations he accepted, and to whom he came for life, he sought and gained a blessed and eternal abode in this dwelling place of peace. Here there was no more condemnation for him;-but pardoned, justified, and at peace with God, he found hope as an anchor to his soul, both sure and steadfast. The law condemned him, but the Gospel met its condemnation, and opened to him, a city of defence. But again, he was a pilgrim follower of Jesus, amidst the circumstances of earth,—though a partaker of the security of heaven. He was contending with manifold difficulties and trials,—encompassed with enemies,-laden with sorrows,-pressing forward often through deep waters;—but keeping his hope steadfast unto the end,-and becoming purified by his trials, he has found at last an everlasting abode, in the city of his God,secured from every enemy, and delivered from all anguish forever. This is the security in which his soul is now kept. He can go no more out. He abides in strength and peace