What is it simply in itself?

A declaration of right and wrong.

What do you say of its nature, authority, and obligation?
It is universal, perpetual, and unchangeable.
How is the law to be interpreted or understood?

Both literally and spiritually.

What do you mean by its universality?

It extends to the whole man; to all our thoughts, words, and actions.

Does the Gospel annul the Law?

It does not in the least degree impair it.

Prove this: St. Matt. v. 17.

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”

What does the law retain always?

Its directing and condemning power.

What does the word Gospel mean?

Good news, or good tidings.

What tidings does it announce to us?

Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Repeat the words of St. Paul. 1 Tim. i. 15.

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."

What great point does the Gospel reveal to us?

How a righteous God can justify unrighteous man.

What does it offer to us?

Mercy, grace, and life.

What is our condition, as sinful creatures, with regard to God?

We are alienated from Him and unlike Him. What does the Gospel reveal to us, in this condition?

The means of reconciliation, friendship, nearness to Him; also of likeness to Him.

Repeat the words of St. Paul. 2 Cor. v. 18; and Eph. ii. 13. "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation."

"For through Him (Christ Jesus) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."

What does the Gospel offer us, as to our guilt?

Justification.

"Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Rom. iii. 24.

What does it offer us as to our sins?

Pardon.

"In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." Eph. i. 7.

What does it offer us as to our corruption or depravity? Sanctification. "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus,

who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." 1 Cor. i. 30. What does it offer us as to all our enemies? Redemption, or deliverance.

"That He would grant

unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear." St. Luke i. 74.

What does it offer us as to our final state?

Life, glory, blessedness. "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. vi. 23.

Can we obtain peace with God through the law?

No: it leaves us as offenders under His righteous displeasure.

How do we obtain peace with Him?

By faith in Christ.

Repeat the words of St. Paul on this point. Rom. v. 1. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

What do you mean by peace with God?

Friendship, union, and all consequent blessings. What is the Law considered as a rule?

It is light, but without life and power. What does it reveal, with regard to God? His goodness, holiness, and justice. What does it reveal with regard to man? His duty, sinfulness, and guilt.

What does it fail to do?

It cannot make us righteous before God.

What do you say of the Gospel, as contrasted with the law? It is light, and also life and power.

How is it that it has power?

Because it is "the ministration of the spirit." 2 Cor. iii. 8.

What gives life and efficacy to God's word?

The Holy Spirit. 1 St. Peter i. 2, 22.

What is our true wisdom?

To study both the Law and the Gospel.

Why should we study the law?

To learn our duty to ascertain our wants and woes; our diseases and misery.

Why should we study the Gospel?

To learn the love of God: to ascertain our remedy and means of happiness.

What must we do in order to be saved?

Believe rightly and Act rightly.

When do we believe rightly?

When we believe with the heart, as the gospel teaches us to believe.

When do we act rightly?

When we act as both the law and the gospel teach us

to act.

Ought not the law and gospel to be valued most highly by us?

They ought: they are our treasure.

Who is a sound Christian?

He who faithfully attends to the whole of revelation. What ought to be our daily prayer? Ps. cxix. 18.

"Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law."

III. RELIGION IN ITSELF AND IN ITS APPLICATION TO MAN.

Describe Religion, what it is in Itself, in three words.
Light, Life, and Law.

Why do you say that it is Light?

Because it is Truth, Doctrine, the Light of the soul.

Why do you say that it is Life?

Because it is Power, Energy, the Life of the soul.

Why do you say that it is Law?

Because it is Injunction, Command, the Rule of man's
conduct.

Of how many parts does religion, when thus viewed, consist?
Of three parts.

Mention them.

Doctrinal, spiritual, and practical religion.

Is religion, thus viewed, adapted to man's nature?

It is so in all respects: it applies to the whole of it.

How do you describe man?

He is endowed with Mind or Intellect; with Heart or
Affection; and with Active Powers.

What does doctrinal religion effect in man?

It enlightens or informs his mind.

What does spiritual religion effect in him?

It enlivens and purifies the heart-the whole soul.

What does practical religion do for him?

It guides, rules, and forms his conduct.

Of what does sound doctrinal religion in the mind consist?
Of right views of the truths of revelation.

What have we here to guard against?

Against becoming mere speculative Christians. Of what does spiritual religion in the heart consist? Of holy principles and affections.

What have we here to guard against?

Against mere feelings and imaginations.

Of what does practical religion consist?

Of Duty; of obedience to all the laws of God. What have we here to guard against?

Against idleness, and against an undue estimate of our works.

Will any one or two of these parts make a sound Christian? No: the three parts must be united.

Describe a true Christian according to this view.

He has just views, sound principles, and upright conduct. What is our duty as to our Minds?

To seek and obtain the Knowledge of divine things. What is our duty as to our Hearts?

To look well to our principles, affections, and motives. What is our duty as to our Conduct?

To obey carefully all God's commandments.

Can we be partial in these things without harm?

No: we must attend to all truth, all holiness, all obedience.

Can we make religion an occasional matter?

No it is a new state, a new nature; not a few words, or

What must religion be to us?

The sacred, spiritual element in which we live.

What is daily the prayer and aim of the true Christian?

It is, that by the grace of the Holy Spirit he may become continually more wise, holy, and obedient.

What must a Christian do in order that his soul may prosper? He must do many things.