written and external form. Compare Rom. 2:20; 2 Cor. 3:6. Service that is performed in the “oldness of the letter” originates in fear instead of love, in spasmodic struggle instead of living impulse, in volitionary effort instead of inward inclination, has reference merely to the letter instead of the intent of the law, is forced out by the threat and penalty of the law instead of drawn out by its excellence and beauty (Ps. 119:97). These two kinds of obedience are exact contraries. In the one case,