148 Of ufiification by Faith. S E R M. of mankind with a pofitive revelation of his VI. will. The patriarchal form of religion was `""vJ firft inftituted, and then the Mofàical, in which with a mixture of many ceremonies, fuitable to the then Rate of things, and the genius of the people to whom it was given, there are many excellent inftrufions in the chief points of duty : but, afterwards this alfo proving infufficient, for the apoftle Thews, that both yews and Gentiles finned, and fell Jhort of the glory of God, and there - fore were equally concluded under wrath ; it pleafed God, by his fon Jefus Chrift, to publifh the law of faith, and declare his rightcoufnefs for the rerrfon of fins ; by which all, who fubmit to it, whether for - merly under the Jewifh difpenfation, or hea- thenifh darknefs and fuperftition, fhould be alike entitled to the favour of God. By this new conftitution the former was difannulled, becaufe of the weaknefs and unprofitablenefs thereof. But the efrence of religion remains the fame and unalterable, however the outward forms of it may vary, The fubftance of all true religion is obe- dience to the moral and eternal law of Cod ; that is, to imitate him in juftice, holinefs, and mercy. The ceremonies which Mofes inftituted
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