The sinner, in this situation, can never be made to serve God, only by being driven to it by terror, the same as some wretched slave is made to cower and submit in fear and dread to some revengeful tyrant.  But this is not the service God requires.  He requires a service which is delightful, and in which his creature feels an abundant reward.  We grant that men, under the first covenant, were called upon to fear God.  The reason of this obvious, when we reflect that God had covenanted to bestow certain blessings upon them, providing they would do their duty.  If they failed, then he would execute the temporal judgments upon them, which the law points out, and threatens.  Under this covenant men had just as much reason to fear, as they were liable to transgress it.

But when an angel announced the dawn of a better covenant; he said “fear not, for behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy.”  In this is nothing to be feared.  All the fear lies in the first, and thunders out to ever sinner, “cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the law to do them?” But John, speaking in view of the second covenant, says, “there is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”  The first covenant is founded on works, and is conditional;—­but the second is founded on the immutable promise of God, and is unconditional.  In the law, we are commanded to do according to the reasonableness of its requirements; but in the gospel we are exhorted to believe in view of evidence and fact.  And as no man can believe, or disbelieve what he pleases, therefore conditions are excluded.

What is the meaning of gospel?  It is good tidings of great joy.  It is life and immortality brought to light at the appearing of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who has abolished death by giving us the assurance of a resurrection from corruption to incorruption and glory.  It is news.  In view of news, what is the first thing necessary?  Answer, belief.  It is impossible to work news; therefore the gospel is not of works.  In the law, the first requirement is to do;—­but in the gospel the first requirement is to believe.  The law-covenant is therefore temporary, fallible and uncertain; but the gospel-covenant is eternal, infallible, and in all things well ordered and sure.  The first rests on the obedience of the creature, but the second on the promises of Jehovah.  Paul therefore calls it a better covenant established upon better promises.