have an example of the calm, subdued style in the Apostle
CHAP. XX.] EXAMPLES FROM SCPJPTURE. 149
SO that in regard to a subject wliicli it is not easy to compreliend, we may understand as much as it is given us to understand ? Are we in this case to seek out ornaments instead of proofs ? Or is the hearer to be moved to do something instead of being instructed so that he may learn something ? But when we come to praise God, either in Himself, or in His works, what a field for beauty and splendour of language opens up before man, who can task his powers to the utmost in praising Him whom no one can adequately praise, though there is no one who does not praise Him in some measure But if He be not worshipped, or if idols, whether they be demons or any created being whatever, be worshipped with Him or in preference to Him, then we ought to speak out with power and impressiveness, show how great a wickedness this is, and urge men to flee from it.
Chap. xx.—Examples of the various styles draionfrom Scripture.
39. But now to come to something more definite. We have an example of the calm, subdued style in the Apostle
Paul, where he says : " Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law ? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons ; the one by a bond maid, the other by a free woman. But he who was of the bond woman was born after the flesh ; but he of the free woman was by .promise. Which things are an allegory : for these are the two covenants ; the one from the Mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Hagar. For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all;"-^ and so on. And in the same way where he reasons thus : " Brethren, I speak after the manner of men : Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not. And to seeds, as of many ; but as of one. And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise
1 Gal. iv, 21-26.