Of .uflification by Faith. 145 the father of all them that believe, though S E R M. they be uncircumci 'd ; that righteoufnefs VI. might be imputed to them a fö. From all `--"J which it is apparent, what law it is the apoftle intends to exclude from a fhare in our juftification : It is that law, which was added becaufe of tranfgreí ion, denouncing wrath for every difobedience, and binding men over to punifhment for the leaft failure, which therefore could not give life. And the Jews miftook its nature and defign, if they expelled life by it : For it was intended only as a fchoolmafter, to lead them, by its fevere difcipline, to Chrift the promifed feed, who declared righteoufnefs by faith, or up- on the more favourable and gracious terms of a fincere, tho' imperfet obedience to the gofpel, This, I fay, is the law which the apoftle excludes from a (hare in our juf- tification : Not the eternal, unchangeable law of fobriety, righteoufnefs, godiinefs, and charity, which chriftiani:y, or the grace that brings falvation, teaches, and in the ftrongeft manner enforces, making our obe- dience to it indifpeniably necef ary to our ob- taining the reward it promifes. Thus the feeming contradiaion between the apoftles St. Paul a-d St. James is very VOL. I. L eably r.
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