were in a state of redemption, and that the law was given to them as to a people freed from the bondage of Egypt :-the ten commandments being prefaced by this declaration; "I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." And they were no sooner put under the law than they had, besides, the types of the Gospel in Jesus, through the blood of the slain lamb. So the terrors of the strictness of the law were softened by the provision of the typical sacrifice without spot or blemish, offered as an atonement; so that even then, they who had faith might be said to be under the law to Christ, which it is said, (Gal. iii. 19,) was ordained by angels in the hand of a Mediator.

If the law was given to the children of Israel, why do we, as Gentiles, take it to ourselves?

Because, Charles answered, we are children of Abraham by faith; we are grafted into the olive-tree of the Jews, and partake of the fatness of the olive.

It is so; and, moreover, when we believe, we are redeemed from out of the wicked world,out of the house of bondage ;--for Egypt, which was a literal place of bondage to the Jews, is a typical representation of the world, which is our place of bondage; Satan being the prince of this world, and he that puts hard yokes on the necks of those who dwell in it.

Do you remember how the children of Israel were delivered?

George said, with a high hand, and a stretchedout arm, and with great power.

Yes, George; and, moreover, with blood. The Lord redeemed them, saving them from the destroying angel. They were ordered to slay the Lamb for the sacrifice of the passover,―to sprinkle the blood on their houses, which was the token of the salvation by which they were sanctified to the Lord, and separated from the Egyptians. They were to eat of the Lamb with their loins girt and their staff in their hand, ready to set out on their pilgrimage. They were then brought out, led through the Red Sea, and were in a state of peculiar and distinguishing privileges, by the blood of the covenant, when the commandments were given to them. They were under the promise which was given to Abraham, and under the same covenant; but the law was added, do you know why?

--

Yes, uncle; it was added because of transgressions. (Gal. iii. 19.)

What is the use of the law?

By the law is the knowledge of sin. (Rom. iii. 20.)

Has the law any other office?

Yes; as a schoolmaster, to bring us to Christ. (Gal. iii. 24.)

Do

True; when the Lord saith by the law, this and live," we find out the sin which prevents our doing it, and hinders our living by it; then we are led to lament our sin, and say, "O wretched man that I am!" Feeling that there is an

inward bondage, from which we need to be made free, we are led to enquire, Who shall deliver me from this body of death,-a death more fearful than that which was seen in Egypt, when the first-born in every house was slain, but from which the children of Israel were delivered. This is not a destroying angel, but the very body of death, the sin in ourselves. The Lord brings us to the knowledge of this, and also brings us to lament and enquire, as the apostle did, "Who shall deliver me?" (Rom. vi. 24.) Then comes the application of Jesus' grace, and we find our deliverance in Him: "I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!" I do not know whether you understand my reason for introducing this argument. Can you tell me what you understand by it, Charles?

Charles seemed, by his countenance, which he steadfastly fixed on mine, as if he were endeavoring to gather up the thread; and all the others looked towards him,-waiting his reply. At length he said,

Is it for the purpose of teaching us to look at the law without dread; seeing that, though by it is the knowledge of sin, yet it, as a schoolmaster, brings us to Christ Jesus, who delivers us from the curse of the law?

Yes, that is one purpose. of the law?

Death, for breaking it. How did Jesus Christ curse?

What is the curse

"Thou shalt die." deliver us from this

By dying for us. He was made sin for us; He bare our sins in his own body on the tree. But Christ also delivers us from the bondage of the law. What is the bondage of the law? I do not think I can clearly tell you.

The bondage of the law is the condition it proposes for life, Do this and live. That is the bondage of the law.

Does the Lord Jesus ever

direct us to such conditions?

No, said Louisa; He once answered the Pharisee according to these words, (Matt. xix. 1622;) but that was to convince him of sin, and to leave him without excuse, when he had asked, "Good master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life.".

In what way, then, does the Lord Jesus propose life to us?

And

O, very differently, uncle. He says, "Whosoever believeth in me hath eternal life." He says, at the same time, why we shall die, in that Scripture, (John iii. 36.) And I have often thought how different it is from the conditions of life and death in the law. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Thank you, my dear Louisa, for communicating your thoughts. We are now come to a clear point of understanding as to the proper use and application of the law; which is very important to us, as I desire so much to fix one of the commandments of the law at this time so

particularly on your attention; namely, the fifth,

"Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Therefore, you will all, I hope, my dear young friends, bear in mind, that I do not impress it on you as a condition of life, but as a proof of love to the Lord Jesus,— "If you love me, keep my commandments." Indeed, it would be an absurdity so to do, for he that loveth the Lord is loved of God, and has already received the principle of eternal life from the gift of God himself.

Mary, who appeared to gather a little confidence from seeing the easy manner in which my sister's children answered my questions,-in a very diffident tone of voice, said, But is there not a condition of life belonging to the fifth commandment, when it says, "that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee?"

Delighted to find her mind engaged in discriminating the subject, I could not help showing my pleasure by an involuntary smile, which raised a blush for a moment, from consciousness of the encouragement.

Your question will soon be answered, my dear Mary, by referring to the apostle's description: he calls it, the first commandment with promise. Reflect now on the difference between a condition and a promise, and I will try to help you to distinguish them.

All the commandments had the condition,