as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse:' to the Ephesians, that the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances, was abolished and slain in the flesh of Christ' to the Philippians, that he that wins Christ and is found in him, is one not having his own righteousness, which is of the law, but the righteousness which is of God by faith to the Colossians, that "the handwriting of ordinances is blotted out, removed, and nailed to the cross:' to the Hebrews, that the law is weak and a shadow, and unprofitable, making nothing perfect, and disannulled.' "It was in the papal system that the religion of the letter, with its mischievous results, received its most monstrous development; and the great struggle of Luther and his companions was against legalism in all its forms; and the noble army of our English confessors and martyrs fought for the same end-to exalt the banner of the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ above the ruins of the righteousness of the law.

"Now the unlawful use of the law developes itself in a twofold form: one is the relying on some moral excellence, obedience, or principle, as a ground of acceptance with God; and the other is the setting an undue value on that which is external and ceremonial, or preferring the lesser to the weightier matters of the law.'

"One follows in the train of the other: once make obedience the title to the divine favour, and there will ensue a magnifying of ritual observances, and an exalting of human rules, traditions, and authority, to an exaggerated degree-because ritual obedience may be only carnal, and not spiritual obedience, and then will be an easy task."- (pp. 11-17.)

One more brief passage from the close, and we shall have effectually excited the interest of our readers in this valuable discourse:

"Have I said enough to show that the times are perilous times, and that the watchmen of Israel must not slumber at their posts? I am persuaded that this system is distinctly and emphatically the RELIGION OF THE LETTER, making justification and salvation to rest on an inward work of moral sanctity, and exaggerating the importance of external duties; that it is the ministry of condemnation; the letter which killeth, and not the spirit which giveth life.

"If we value the truth of the righteousness of Christ; if we are not willing to give up the doctrine of justification by faith alone; if we think ourselves commissioned to tell any sinner, how far soever he may have wandered from the sanctuary of God's unspotted holiness, that he is still within reach of the call of Gospel promise; if we desire to uphold the prerogative of the word of God, we must resist these things, and strive for the faith once delivered to the saints.

"The time is one which will try the stedfastness, the sincerity, the soundness of the Christian: that minister alone shall stand fast who has himself tasted and seen that the Lord is gracious; for the secret of enduring courage is contained in these words of St. Paul, “Seeing that we have received this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not.”—(pp. 44, 45.)

UNIVERSITIES.

OXFORD.