founded upon better promises? To the Prophets it was revealed," says St. Peter, "that not to themselves, but unto us they did minister the things that are now reported unto you by them that have preached the Gospel unto you, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven." But this dispensation of the Spirit "suffereth violence," and its enemies are mighty; and many of those who are upon the earth" have a name that they live," but "they are dead;" and their "profession is the armour of the "wicked one," whereby they quench all the darts of God's Spirit. The dread of suffering, the fear of consequences, keep many from " washing their robes, and making them white in the blood of the Lamb." Hear his voice! "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich.” Do you know what you are about?" said Mr. CHARLES WESLEY to one who spoke to him of Christian perfection: "Do you know that you are going to set all earth and hell against you?" "He that saith he abideth in Christ," (how great a privilege!) "ought himself to walk even as He also walked ; through honour, and through dishonour, through evil report, and good report." And your privilege and safety will generally be the same, "as chastened, and not killed; as dying, and behold we live! as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things!" K 66 Behold the way; and behold also where your strength lieth! Beware of Saul's armour; the wisdom or the power of this world! "The wea pons of your warfare are not carnal, but mighty, through God, to the pulling down of strong holds. Destroying reasonings," the whole routine of empty "philosophy, and vain” self-pleasing “deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily ;" and "ye are complete in Him." The fulness of God overflows in the Mediator, and the fulness of the Mediator overflows in his members. By this faith, you will "bring every thought into subjection to the obedience of Christ; and be strengthened with all might by his Spirit in the inner man, unto all long-suffering with joyfulness." Remember, that as "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, so love," a love that, like "wisdom, cometh from above,-is the fulfilling of that law;" even "to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our mind, and with all our strength ;" and consequently, "to love our neighbour," every soul of man, " as ourselves." Many of you remember that man of God who taught you thus, and "who being dead yet speaketh." You know he was himself a witness of the deep humiliation which it is the design of this Epistle to produce in the proud, self-sufficient heart of 2 man; and who, while he grasped its "fulness with a believing renovated mind, felt himself supported by its blessedness," when he also submitted to become "as the filth of the world," and "the offscouring of all things," that he might, "with that liberty wherewith Christ had made him free," communicate to perishing sinners its unsearchable riches. How often was it fondly thought, that he would Though born for the universe, narrow his mind, His faith looked above all "this deceivableness of unrighteousness." His commentary on this astonishing Epistle is only inferior to the inspired work which it illustrates ;-chaste, correct, luminous, and edifying! His thoughts on Divine subjects in general are extracted from a world of thinking; and directed by an erudition, which not only was employed in, but commanded, the whole round of real learning; while faith governed the invaluable talent, and kept in the one undeviating channel of truth all his attainments. "Hold fast the form of sound words, which you have heard" of him "in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." And if you "have not believed in vain, hold fast the profession of your faith without wavering; for He is faithful who hath called you. Building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God. Be not weary in welldoing;" and especially in enforcing the glorious truths of this Epistle,-which, you know," are able to save the soul. Count all things dung and dross, that you may" thus serve Him, "who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame!" Thus go on, till you also, having done and suffered His whole will, and "declared his whole counsel, shall enter into his joy, and sit down on his throne!" "Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,—to the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both both now and ever. Amen!" |