m, then we
use all the means in our power to drive them from the bosom of their
Father, and keep them in darkness and sin.

The sinner, in this situation, can never be made to serve God, only by
being driven to it by terror, the same as some wretched slave is made
to cower and submit in fear and dread to some revengeful tyrant. But
this is not the service God requires. He requires a service which is
delightful, and in which his creature feels an abundant reward. We
grant that men, under the first covenant, were called upon to fear
God. The reason of this obvious, when we reflect that God had
covenanted to bestow certain blessings upon them, providing they would
do their duty. If they failed, then he would execute the temporal
judgments upon them, which the law points out, and threatens. Under
this covenant men had just as much reason to fear, as they were liable
to transgress it.

But when an angel announced the dawn of a better covenant; he said
"fear not, for behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy." In this
is nothing to be feared. All the fear lies in the first, and thunders
out to ever sinner, "cursed is every one that continueth not in all
things written in the law to do them?" But John, speaking in view of
the second covenant, says, "there is no fear in love; but perfect love
casteth out fear, because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not
made perfect in love." The _first_ covenant is founded on works, and
is _conditional_;--but the _second_ is founded on the immutable
promise of God, and is _unconditional_. In the law, we are commanded
_to do_ according to the reasonableness of its requirements; but in
the gospel we are exhorted _to believe_ in view of evidence and fact.
And as no man can believe, or disbelieve what he pleases, therefore
conditions are excluded.

What is the meaning of gospel? It is good tidings of great joy. It is
life and immortality brought to light at the appearing of our Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ, who has abolished death by giving us the
assurance of a resurrection from corruption to incorruption and glory.
It is news. In view of news, what is the first thing necessary?
Answer, _belief_. It is impossible to work news; therefore the gospel
is not of works. In the law, the first requirement is _to do_;--but in
the gospel the first requirement is _to believe_. The law-covenant is
therefore temporary, fallible and uncertain; but the gospel-covenant
is eternal, infallible, and