THE LAW IS ESTABLISHED BY THE GOSPEL.
By J. G. Wood
A PLAIN proof that the law of the ten commandments, and, consequently, the law of the Sabbath, is obligatory upon Christians, is found in the answer of the apostle to an objection to the doctrine of justification by faith (Rom. 3:31), which is equivalent to asking, Does Christianity teach that the law is no longer obligatory on Christians, because it teaches that no one can be justified by it? To this we answer in the most solemn form of expression, “God forbid; yea, we establish the law.” Now the sense in which the apostle uses the term, “the law,” in this argument, is unquestionably the same as that in which the law is spoken of in Rom. 7:7: “I had not known sin but by the law; for I had not known lust except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet,” which, being a plain reference to the tenth command of the decalogue, as plainly shows that the decalogue is “the law” of which he speaks. This, then, is the law which is established by the gospel; and this can mean nothing else but the establishment of its authority as the rule of all inward and outward holiness. Then, again, the evil arising from Sabbath-breaking is greatly to be lamented: it is an insult to God, and how careful we should be that we grieve not his Holy Spirit. To sanctify this day, we should consider it, 1. As God's memorial, pointing back to its divine institution, at the close of creation week. 2. As a day of rest; not, indeed, to exclude works of mercy and charity, but a cessation from all worldly labor and care. 3. As a day of meditation and prayer, in which we should cultivate communion with God. Rev. 1:10. 4. As a day of public worship. Acts 18:4; 13:14. 5. As a day of anticipation, looking forward to that holy, happy, and eternal Sabbath that remains for the people of God. But here is the place, and now is the time, to learn perfect submission and obedience to his will, not doing our own pleasure, nor speaking our own words, on his holy day. And may God, through the influence of his Holy Spirit, impress these solemn thoughts on our minds, and write his law in our hearts, is my prayer. J. G. Wood.