"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”—James 1:25 In showing what law is intended in the text, I shall say that it appears to me to be the glorious Gospel of God our Saviour, which comprehends all the glorious doctrines and promises of love, grace, and mercy; with all the truths connected with, and discovered in, the complete salvation of helpless sinners. A gospel replete with blessings unspeakable and full of glory! and of which Christ is the sum and substance; for without, or separate from, Christ there is no gospel. But in speaking upon this part of the subject,…

In showing why this law is called the law of liberty, I remark, that liberty stands directly opposed to bondage, and that the gospel is a free proclamation of liberty, complete liberty, to poor, captive, insolvent debtors. By the gospel, poor sinners are made free, in spite of all opposition that can be raised against their freedom, by either sin, law, death, or hell; for the truth shall make them free. Such is the glory and importance of the liberty of the gospel, that, to be made a partaker of it, and to be employed in the important work of proclaiming or preaching it to others who are in distress, is the highest favour that can be conferred upon mortals. This divine employ has been…

1st. I shall endeavour to show that this law contains a perfection of doctrines. Do we look around us, and behold a world rolling in sin and ungodliness? do we look within and find ourselves a mass of rebellion and wretchedness? and are we led to inquire if there be any possibility of such wretches escaping hell and obtaining heaven? This precious law informs us that it is not only possible, but that it is as certain as that God is God, that a people shall show forth God's praises in eternal glory. Nor are we left at a mere conjecture how this shall be brought about: for "God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he hath loved us, even when…

We live in a day when speculative and superficial religion abounds to a great degree. It would be considered an insult to call any one an irreligious man. Almost all hands are engaged in holding up what they call religion; but among the vast crowds that are engaged in this work, it is to be feared the number is but small who are able to give an answer to any one that should ask them of the reason of their hope, or, in other words, who have looked into the perfect law of liberty. I have often observed, that even ministers, whose abilities are far from being contemptible as men, and who are considered preachers of the first rank, are fully satisfied with looking round…

On this head I shall be very brief. The apostle Paul seems to have the same things in view, when he says, "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him." (Col 2:6) If ye received him as the Lord your righteousness and strength, your God, your life, your light, your wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, portion, and your all in all, walk in him as such. If ye have looked unto him and have been lightened, and your faces were not ashamed, continue to look unto him; he is still the same, and ye as much need him now as ever; for without him ye can do nothing. All your fruit is in him; and except ye abide in him by…

This man is said to be, "not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the word."' In speaking on this part of the subject, I shall consider the doing of the word in a twofold sense; viz., internally and visibly. 1st. Internally; which may be comprised in the work of faith, patience of hope, and labour of love. Faith is that grace of the Spirit by which the sinner believes in, looks unto, and rests upon Christ and his finished work for life and salvation. It is the business of faith against hope to believe in hope; that is, to rest upon the promise of God, in spite of all opposition. Though there be nothing in nature and reason but what militates against the accomplishment…