a number of
severe observances. They talked mysteriously of angels and powers
intermediate between God and the human soul.--v. 4. The result was an
interminable discussion at Ephesus. The Church was filled with
disputations and controversies.

Now there is something always refreshing to see the Apostle Paul
descending upon an arena of controversy, where minds have been
bewildered; and so much is to be said on both sides, that people are
uncertain which to take. You know at once that he will pour light upon
the question, and illuminate all the dark corners. You know that he
will not trim, and balance, and hang doubtful, or become a partisan;
but that he will seize some great principle which lies at the root of
the whole controversy, and make its true bearings clear at once.

This he always does, and this he does on the present occasion.--v. 5
and 6. He does not, like a vehement polemic, say Jewish ceremonies and
rules are all worthless, nor some ceremonies are worthless, and others
essential; but he says, the root of the whole matter is charity. If
you turn aside from this, all is lost; here at once the controversy
closes. So far as any rule fosters the spirit of love, that is, is
used lawfully, it is wise, and has a use. So far as it does not, it is
chaff. So far as it hinders it, it is poison.

Now observe how different this method is from that which is called the
sober, moderate way--the _via media_. Some would have said, the great
thing is to avoid extremes. If the question respects
fasting--fast--only in _moderation_. If the observance of the Sabbath
day, observe it on the Jewish principle, only _not so strictly_.

St. Paul, on the contrary, went down to the root; he said, the true
question is not whether the law is good or bad, but on what principle;
he said, you are both wrong--_you_, in saying that the observance of
the law is essential, for the end of it is charity, and if _that_ be
got what matter _how_--_you_, in saying rules may be dispensed with
entirely and always, "for we know that the law is good."

I. The unlawful use, and
II. The lawful use of law.

I. The unlawful use.

Define law.--By law, Paul almost always means not the Mosaic law, but
law in its essence and principle, that is, constraint. This chiefly in
two forms expresses itself--1st, a custom; 2nd, a maxim. As examples
of custom, we might give Circumcision, or the Sabbath, or Sacrifice,
or