Never has anything caused such contention, indifference, belief or unbelief and such a national fervor even among Christians. Spurgeon’s remarks in 1855 say it best: “There is no point upon which men make greater mistakes than upon the relation which exists between the Law and the Gospel. Some men put the Law instead of the Gospel: others put the Gospel instead of the Law; some modify the Law and the Gospel, and preach neither Law nor Gospel: and others entirely abrogate the Law, by bringing in the Gospel. Many there are who think that the Law is the Gospel, and who teach that men by good works of benevolence, honesty, righteousness, and sobriety, may be saved. Such men do err. On the other hand, many teach that the Gospel is a Law; that it has certain commands in it, by obedience to which, men are meritoriously saved, such men err from the truth, and understand it not. A certain class maintains that the Law and the Gospel are mixed, and that partly by observance of the Law, and partly by God’s grace, men are saved. These men understand not the truth, and are false teachers.”
The Law, of which I purpose, by the divine help, to speak, is that one great moral law of God, all the commandments of which, are “holy, just, and good” an obedience to which, "is more to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold;" the purity of which is, to a holy mind, "sweeter than honey, and the honeycomb ;" by the guidance of which , the " servant of God is warned;" and in the ” keeping of which, there is great reward.": This Law is a revelation to man of the will of God. It is a transcript and publication of His holy and perfect mind. It is the rule of angelic obedience. It was the guide given to man at his creation. It is the Law, obedience to which, would have given him eternal life; the violation of which, subjected him to condemnation. It is the Law, which has been fulfilled for the sinner's justification, by the Lord Jesus Christ, the constituted Mediator of the new covenant;-which is written again upon the heart of the justified and restored man according to the provisions of this covenant, by the Holy Spirit;-and in cheerful and permanent obedience to which, he is to glorify and honor his redeeming Lord, in His eternal and heavenly kingdom. This is the Law of which I speak; the Law which requires in every intelligent creature, supreme love to God, and unqualified submission in the spirit of love, to all His commandments. An accurate knowledge and understanding of this divine Law, lies at the very foundation of true religion, and of all instruction in the things of God. By this alone, can we be taught to appreciate and accept, the gracious provisions of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; in Whom, God has been pleased to do for us, what the Law required, but could not do; and by Whom, He has laid open for us unsearchable riches of grace, meeting all the demands of the Law, "magnifying it, and making it honorable," so that He is revealed, as " the end (or perfection) of the Law for righteousness, to every one that believeth." The importance to us, of a clear and distinct intelligence of this subject, cannot be overstated; and we may well take upon our lips, and utter from our hearts, the psalmist's prayer, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold the wondrous things of thy law."
About James Paul
Stephen H. Tyng, the original author 1848, was convinced that the ignorance of the relationship between the Law and the Gospel was the root of spiritual darkness, error and perversion of professing Christians. With the Moral Law of God severely under attack today his words come echoing back in simplicity and clearness, to help guard against ignorance and confusion. This is a beautiful work and is more about TEN WORDS AND ONE ACT OF LOVE than law. James Paul
Never has anything caused such contention, indifference, belief or unbelief and such a national fervor even among Christians. Spurgeon’s remarks in 1855 say it best: “There is no point upon which men make greater mistakes than upon the relation which exists between the Law and the Gospel. Some men put the Law instead of the Gospel: others put the Gospel instead of the Law; some modify the Law and the Gospel, and preach neither Law nor Gospel: and others entirely abrogate the Law, by bringing in the Gospel. Many there are who think that the Law is the Gospel, and who teach that men by good works of benevolence, honesty, righteousness, and sobriety, may be saved. Such men do err. On the other hand, many teach that the Gospel is a Law; that it has certain commands in it, by obedience to which, men are meritoriously saved, such men err from the truth, and understand it not. A certain class maintains that the Law and the Gospel are mixed, and that partly by observance of the Law, and partly by God’s grace, men are saved. These men understand not the truth, and are false teachers.”
Stephen H. Tyng, the original author 1848, was convinced that the ignorance of the relationship between the Law and the Gospel was the root of spiritual darkness, error and perversion of professing Christians. With the Moral Law of God severely under attack today his words come echoing back in simplicity and clearness, to help guard against ignorance and confusion. This is a beautiful work and is more about TEN WORDS AND ONE ACT OF LOVE than law.