The Levitical code included both the ceremonial and the moral law.  Though St. Paul declares justification unattainable by obedience to either or to both, he did not set aside the moral law, as no longer obligatory, as he did the ceremonial.  This latter had answered the ends of its appointment, and was abolished by fulfillment.  It was only a shadow of good things to come, and fled away before that of which it was a shadow.  Christ had therefore blotted it out and taken it away.  But the moral law was not done away.  Christ hath fulfilled it for those who believe on him; but it doth not therefore cease to be obligatory upon them.  It is of universal and eternal obligation.  The salvation of mankind, doth not, however, depend on their obedience to it.  If it did, they could not be saved, because all mankind have broken it.  “Salvation is of grace, through faith.”

Instead of setting Christians free from obligation to keep the moral law, what Christ hath done for them strengthens their obligations to obey it.  An increase of mercies is an increase of obligations to serve the Lord.

But yet more is done to secure obedience from those who are Christ’s —­yea enough to secure it.  A change passeth on them, when they become his, which reconciles them to the law, and causes them to delight in it, and in the duties which it enjoins.  This produces a pleasing conformity to it—­“his commandments are not grievous.”  Their obedience is sincere and universal.  Others may render a partial obedience, out of fear, but the obedience of the renewed flows from love, and hath respect to all God’s commandments.

Remains of depravity abide in the Christian, but they do not habitually govern in him.  That they are not wholly purged out of his nature, is to him the occasion of grief—­causes him to go sorrowing:  But he doth not gain complete deliverance till he puts off the body.  He puts on, however, the gospel armor, and maintains a warfare against his own corruptions within, no less than against the powers of darkness without.  Though sometimes wounded, and made to go on his way halting, he is in his general course victorious, rising superior to opposition, and living unto God.  “Whosoever is born of God, doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God”—­cannot sin:  like others, allowedly and habitually.  “How shall he who is dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

Such is the character of the Christian, as drawn in the bible; so that all ground of objection to the gospel scheme, as drawn by St. Paul, is removed.  Those who are Christ’s instead of taking liberty to sin, because “they are not under the law, but under grace,” are of all men most careful to do God’s commandments; and from the noblest principles.  Their obedience is not servile, but filial.

This is the spirit of the text. They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh, with the afflictions and lusts—­HAVE crucified.  The change which frees from the governing power of indwelling corruption, and disposeth to walk in newness of life, hath already passed upon them.  None are Christ’s till this change takes place in them.