uct, is to suppose that God cares for the less
and not for the greater: to suppose that He would constitute the moral
powers of the soul so that a law was necessary for their guidance, and
then revealed none: to suppose, especially in the case of the
Israelites, that he would prepare a people to receive, and obey with a
proper spirit, this necessary rule of duty, and yet give no rule. But to
suppose these things would be absurd; it follows, therefore, that God
would reveal to the Israelites a law for the regulation of their
conduct in morals and religion.

But physical law or necessitating instinct would not be adapted in its
nature to the government of a rational and moral being. The obligation
of either to the soul would destroy its free agency. God has made man
intelligent, and thereby adapted his nature to a rule which he
understands. Man has a will and a conscience; but he must understand the
rule in order to will obedience, and he must believe the sanction by
which the law is maintained before he can feel the obligation upon his
conscience. A law, therefore, adapted to man's nature, must be addressed
to the understanding, sanctioned by suitable authority, and enforced by
adequate penalties.

In accordance with these legitimate deductions, God gave the Israelites
a rule of life--the moral law--succinctly comprehended in the Ten
Commandments. And as affectionate obedience is the only proper obedience
he coupled the facts which were fitted to produce affection with the
command to obey; saying, "I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out
of the land of Egypt, and from the house of bondage." Therefore, if ye
love the Lord ye shall surely keep His commandments.

Further, the only begotten Son of God, who, in order to fulfil the law
gave himself a ransom for the salvation of all mankind, made the plan
clearer to "Whomsoever believeth on Him?" saying; "This is My
commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you."

Therefore, John, whom history acknowledges as the Socrates of the
Christian philosophy in his personal knowledge of Divine revelations,
was glad to testify to the fact that "God is Love."

And now with my whole soul lifted up to God I can sing:

My heart is fixed, eternal God: fixed on Thee,
And my unchanging choice is made, Christ for me!
He is my Prophet, Priest, and King, who did for me salvation bring
And while I've breath I mean to sing, Christ for me.

CHAPTER VI