Created by long88 On Jun, 19 2012
impulse to ADS By Bing: Michael Kors Outlet Michael Kors Watches Outlet Michael Kors Handags prevent man from sinning and suffering. . In order to be so used with the best effect, the motive that appeals to it, must be as powerful and perfect as it can possibly be made. Now the infinite and eternal woes, which the penalty of God's law denounces on the finally incorrigible transgressor, is the most powerful motive that could be THE PERFECTION OF brought to operate on his fears. Could you subtract aught from these woes, and not at the same time inevitably weaken one motive necessary to prevent man from incurring those woes,the motive that appeals to his fears? Keeping in view the nature and design of the penalty, remembering that God's benevolence led him to adopt it as a means of preventing sin and misery, and of promoting holiness and happiness, and that it can secure this end only in proportion as it operates effectually on the fears of men, and who can gainsay the truth of the text, that " The law of the Lord is perfect," even in respect to its penalty ? In that stern condemnation which it passes on the first sin, and in that tremendous aggregation of woes present and future, which it denounces on the transgressor, shine out the perfection of the penalty. Herein is seen the infinite benevolence of God, in giving the greatest possible power, and the wisest adaptation to that motive designed to operate on the fears of man, and to shield him from the greatest evils and secure to him the richest blessings that pertain to his mortal and immortal nature. V. The law of the Lord is perfect in its tendency to promote happiness. The gain to human happiness from the best legislation of man, is comparatively trifling. Its influence on happiness is negative and indirect. Human law aims rather at preventing misery, than at promoting positive happiness. Its precepts and its prohibitions do not extend their control over those great moral elements within the mind itself, on whose government the highest happiness of man depends. The conscience and the heart, with THE DIVINE LAW. all their susceptibilities, the inward temper, the principles, the habits, the motives and ruling purpose of the soul, spurn the restraints that human enactments would impose on them. Yet it is by the wise regulations of these powers of man's moral agency, that his highest happiness is secured. Now these are the very powers over which the law of the Lord asserts its supremacy. In order to estimate the perfection of this law, in its tendency to promote happiness, we must contemplate
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