THE CHRISTIAN LAW
I. The highest stage of human development on earth was inaugurated by Jesus Christ in the New Law. Mankind was not ripe for this perfect law at an earlier date. The manifestation of God in religion has proceeded by evolution from the simplest to the most perfect form, and was accommodated at each stage to the actual possibilities of humanity. The world had to exhaust its original energies for advancement before the new energies were infused to complete the imperfect work; it had to be taught by experience and failure that its rehabilitation and perfection could come from God alone. The great gift, like all the exceptional gifts of God, had to be earned by desires, prayers, and patient waiting. Now that this law has been given, there is no other to be expected; the work of God so far is complete. None greater than Jesus Christ can come; no other Spirit more efficient than the Holy Ghost can be poured out. Jesus will be with His Church all days even to the consummation of the world, the Paraclete will teach her all truth; there can be no further needs and no further advance. How blessed is the lot of those who live under the present dispensation, and who have eyes to see and ears to hear those things which so many prophets and kings desired vainly! Take care to profit by your privileges; let your life correspond to them in elevation, and not fall to the level of the Jews of old or of the Pagans.
II. The New Law is substantially the same as the Old. The Messias is the central point to which each looks from the different standpoints of promise and fulfilment. The New Law was involved in the Old; the Old is not destroyed by the New but absorbed into it. All the principles and many of the forms of the Mosaic system are found in the Christian; but they are now more perfect, for shadows have given way to substance, and that which was material figure is now spiritual reality. As the Jewish Law ratified and reinforced the pre-existing natural law, so now the Law of Christ contains all that was substantial in the law of Moses and of nature. It contains the old truths and many new revelations, the same and still higher doctrines of morality, a more perfect worship, sacramental ordinances that are endued with an efficiency of their own, counsels of perfection beyond the reach of Jewish aspirations. A civil and social code of laws Christianity does not impose; for details must necessarily differ according to the varying conditions of provinces in a universal kingdom; and further the religious law contains all the principles that are needed to guide secular legislation and secure our temporal progress and prosperity. Let the unction of the supernatural law overflow upon all your life; and this sanctification will bring every blessing. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His justice and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. vi. 33).
III. The New Law is in every way broader, more elevated, and more efficient than the Old Law. The progress of religion was from the tribal stage to the national stage, and finally to universality. Religion at first was temporary as well as local; the perfect religion is for all time as well as for all men. It combines in itself fixity as it is final, and at the same time a power of adaptibility without substantial change to innumerable sets of circumstances. The Old Law abounded in minute prescriptions which exposed men at every moment to the danger of transgression and punishment; it was a law of bondage and fear. The spirit of the New Law is one of love, liberty, and adoption as sons; its yoke is sweet and its burden light. The New Law is easier, as being free from the intricate ceremonial of the Old, but it is more difficult, as laying before men a much higher standard of life, a supernatural rather than a natural one. But it gives greater graces; so that although too difficult for the half-hearted and sensual, it is easy for the faithful and generous. It depends on yourself whether the Law is to you a burden or a delight. It must be an object of fervent love or bitter hatred.
