"The law of liberty" is this, when a command is given which it is the greatest desire of the heart to obey. The fulfillment of the "royal law" is when we are free to do nothing but that which belongs to the new nature. We are made "partakers of the divine nature;" (2 Peter 1:44Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:4);) and having this nature, " the law of liberty" allows me to walk according to it; and, consequently, not according to the flesh, though the flesh may be there. The precept takes in what the new nature would do if unhindered; and thus our desires have the sanction of the word of God. Moreover, it cannot be a perfect law unless it is "a law of liberty." For i it be addressed to that which has no desire, it is simply its being addressed to the flesh, in which good does not dwell. "A new commandment I write unto you; which thing is true in him and in you." Christ's commandments direct and form the life that is in us, as they are the expressions of His own life; and they form ours by His authority: for it is commandment.
" The law of the Spirit of life" is a different thing. It is not a commandment, but the necessary consequence of the life that is in us-like the law of gravitation, &c. "Looking into the perfect law of liberty" is looking into these commandments.