Practical truths tending to promote the power of godliness

The Apostle having declared that men are justified only by Faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law, he doth obviate and answer some objections which certain self teachers who troubled the Churches in Galatia, after Pauls departure from amongst them; would be ready to make: one of which was, that then the Law was an useless thing; and that if life could not be obtained thereby, it was given in vain to the children of Israel. He therefore showeth, that the Law was of great use. 1. To convince of sin, ver. 19. 2. To lead unto Christ ver. 24. The moral Law doth convince of sin; ⟨p. 95⟩and so help men to a sight of their need of a Saviour: but especially, the Ceremonial Law, was a Schoolmaster to lead unto Christ. All the Ceremonies did one way or other point at Christ. Every Sacrifice told the Jews that they deserved Death; and that if ever they were saved from eternal death it must be by the Blood of Christ.

THe Apostle having declared that men are justified only by Faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law, he doth ob•iate and answer some objections which certain self teachers who troubled the Churches in Galatia, after Pauls departure from amongst them; would be ready to make: one of which was, that then the Law was an useless thing; and that if life could not be obtained thereby, it was given in vain to the children of Israel. He therefore sheweth, that the Law was of great use. 1. To convince of sin, ver. 19. 2. To lead unto Christ ver. 24. The moral Law doth convince of sin; ⟨p. 95⟩and so help men to a sight of their need of a Saviour: but especially, the Ceremonial Law, was a Schoolmaster to lead unto Christ. All the Ceremonies did one way or other point at Christ. Every Sacrifice told the Jews that they deserved Death; and that if ever they were saved from eternal death it must be by the Blood of Christ.

Having cleared the Truth, and given a satisfactory Answer unto Objections proposed; he proceeds further to confirm his Assertion, that the Ceremonial Law is abrogated, and that Believers are not now bound to observe it. And this he proveth from the consideration of their Adoption, ver. 20. It is true, that Old Testament Believers, though under the Law, were nevertheless the Children of God. But they were like Children in minority, who are under Schoolmasters; when as now Believers are like Children come to Adult age, that need the help of […] School master no longer, A Child in minority, though his Fathers Heir, is under Tutors and Governors; but Children grown up to Mans estate are not so. Thus the Church before the coming of Christ was in its minority, and therefore might be under such a severe and grievous School-master as the Law was: But now the Church being come to greater perfection, is not so. Believers under the Gospel are to be esteemed as the Adopted Children of God; and that