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THE
[DISC.
fIf.
to
what end then serveth the
law
?
The
answer
is,
to
shew
them
their
sins,
and to keep alive a sense
of
sin
among
them, till
Christ
should
conic,
who was
to
remove
sin.
Then
comes in the
objection
of
my
text,
h
not the
law
then
againt
the promises
?
Is not the
promise
to
Abraham contradicted
by
the
law given to
the
Jews
?
No
;
by
no means
;
for they were designed for
two dif-
ferent
purposes.
The
law
was
given
for special
and
peculiar
reasons
in
this life,
to the
Jews.
The
promise
was
given to
Abraham and through
him,
to all gentile as
'well
as
Jewish
believers for
eternal
life.
Whereas,
there
had
been
a
law
given
which could have
given
li
e,
i. e.
eternal
life,
verily
righteousness should
have
been by
the
law.
But
the
scripture
bath
concluded
all
under sin,
that
the promise
of
faith
by
Jesus Christ
might
be
given
to them
that
believe.
Let
us
first examine
the meaning
of
the words
and
phrases
in
my
text.
Quest.
1.
What
is
meant
by
law
in
general,
and the
law here spoken of
in
particular
?
Ans. A
law
is
the
will
of
a
superior,
signified to
us,
or
laid
within the
reach
of
our
knowledge
;
which,
if
we
obey,
we
are pronounced righteous, and obtain
a
right to
any
blessings
promised
to
the
obedient; but if
we
diso-
bey
we
are
guilty,
and
are laid
under a
sentence
of
con-
demnation.
I
say,
the
will
of
a
superior,
signified to us,
or
laid within our reach, because the gentiles, having
not
the
revealed
law
of God, are
a
law
to themselves
;
be-
cause
the
great
-and
general rules
of
it,
are
so
far written
in
their hearts
and
consciences,
as
that
they
might
be
-found
out
by
reason and diligence, and
honest enquiry;
and
in
this sense they
are set
within
our
reach.
A
law
of
God requires
that
the obedience
of
the
creature
be
perfect, without
defect,
persevering
to the
end of
the
time which
God hath
appointed; and
it
must
he also
personal, or performed
by
himself,
not
by a
surety or
substitute.
A law
of God
is
such
a
constitution of God,
as
pronounces
righteous those
who
fully comply
with all
its
requirements; but it
accepts
of
no
less
than
it
requires, nor does
it
own
anyithing
for
righteousness which
is
not
perfect. Rom.
ii.
7.
Who
by patient continuance
in well
doing,
(Greek, continu-
ance
in
a good
work,_
or
working good)
seek
for
glory,
honour,
and
immortality,
eternal
life.
Gal.
in.
12,