And therefore clearly understand, law is a mere check to bad men:  it does not improve them; it often makes them worse; it cannot sanctify them.  God never intended that it should.  It saves society from the open transgression; it does not contemplate the amelioration of the offender.

Hence we see for what reason the apostle insisted on the use of the law for Christians.  Law never can be abrogated.  Strict rules are needed exactly in proportion as we want the power or the will to rule ourselves.  It is not because the Gospel has come that we are free from the law, but because, and only so far, as we are in a Gospel state.  “It is for a righteous man” that the law is not made, and thus we see the true nature of Christian liberty.  The liberty to which we are called in Christ, is not the liberty of devils, the liberty of doing what we will, but the blessed liberty of being on the side of the law, and therefore unrestrained by it in doing right.

 Illustrate from laws of coining, housebreaking, &c.  We are not under
 them.—­Because we may break them as we like?  Nay—­the moment we
 desire, the law is alive again to us.

 2.  As a primer is used by a child to acquire by degrees, principles
 and a spirit.

 This is the use attributed to it in verse 5.  “The end of the
 commandment is charity.”

 Compare with this, two other passages—­“Christ is the end of the law
 for righteousness,” and “love is the fulfilling of the law.”  “Perfect
 love casteth out fear.”

 In every law there is a spirit; in every maxim a principle; and the
 law and the maxim are laid down for the sake of conserving the spirit
 and the principle which they enshrine.

St. Paul compares God’s dealing with man to a wise parent’s instruction of his child.—­See the Epistle to the Galatians.  Boyhood is under law; you appeal not to the boy’s reason, but his will, by rewards and punishments:  Do this, and I will reward you; do it not, and you will be punished.  So long as a man is under law, this is salutary and necessary, but only while under law.  He is free when he discerns principles, and at the same time has got, by habit, the will to obey.  So that rules have done for him a double work, taught him the principle and facilitated obedience to it.

 Distinguish however.—­In point of time, law is first—­in point of
 importance, the Spirit.

 In point of time, Charity is the “end” of the commandment—­in point
 of importance, first and foremost.