Of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemp- tion; that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let 187 The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other, so that ye If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a 253 Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort where- Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye 354 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tink- ling cymbal 371 SERMON I. WORSHIP, A PREPARATION FOR CHRIST'S COMING. ISAIAH Xxxiii. 17. "Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off." YEAR after year, as it passes, brings us the same warnings again and again, and none perhaps more impressive than those with which it comes to us at this season1. The very frost and cold, rain and gloom, which now befal us, forebode the last dreary days of the world, and in religious hearts raise the thought of them. The year is worn out; spring, summer, autumn, each in turn, have brought their gifts and done their utmost; but they are over, and the end is come. All is past and gone, all has failed, all has sated: we are tired of the past: we would not have the seasons longer; and the austere weather VOL. V. 1 Advent. B |