But asks the reader, what matter is it which is first in order, whether love, faith or works?  I reply that it is a matter of vast importance, and without understanding this fact, we cannot come to the knowledge of the truth, even though we should be ever learning.  If these three christian graces faith, love and works, are preached in a confused and mixed manner, we cannot arrive at a true understanding of a gospel salvation, neither can we tell the difference between law and gospel.  The law is of works, and the gospel is of faith.  And no man can fulfill the spirit of the law without faith in the gospel.  When the sinner exercises faith in the love and goodness of God in freely giving him eternal life, which infinitely transcends all other blessings—­that moment faith works love in his heart, and causes him to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.  He then loves God because God first loved him.  And when the sinner loves God, he is passed from death unto life, and that love is the fulfillment of the law.

We are now led to see the consistency of faith being the first step.  It is the very cause that produces love to God, and love induces us to keep the commandments.  “Faith works by love,” and “if ye love me,” says Jesus, “ye will keep my commandments.”

We will now introduce an example, which will plainly show the distinction between the law and gospel and in what manner they affect the sinner.  Suppose a king sentences six of his subjects to imprisonment during life, and commands them to spend their days in hard labor.  They are put in confinement, refuse to obey his commands—­ refuse to labor, and in the midst of their miseries curse his name.  They are now in disobedience under the condemnation of the law.

The king says to his only Son, I love those subjects and I covenant with you to set them free in three years.  The Son says, Father I delight to do thy will.  Let me go and reveal to them, the glad tidings of this covenant promise.  The king answers—­my Son, in the fullness of time I will send you.  Let them remain, one year, under the law.  But says the Son, they are now transgressing your law, and need instruction.  The king replies, I will send my servant to enforce that law.  Let him go and inform the prisoners, that I am angry with them for their conduct; and if they will obey my commands, and labor faithfully, they shall have excellent food and good clothing as a reward.  But if they will not comply, they shall be chained, and kept on bread and water as a punishment for their disobedience.

The servant goes and delivers to them this message.  Three of those subjects, for fear of the punishment and in hope of the reward, obey the king, and outwardly respect his commands, but perhaps have little, or no love for him. (Here we see the righteousness of the law which is not acceptable to God.) They accordingly receive, day by day, the promised reward.  But the other three prisoners despise these conditions and refuse to obey.  They are chained, fed on bread and water, and meet their deserts.