Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

by the Spirit of God, they are the children of God;" and "Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God." Then, and not till then, we can be said to have been born of God; for "Whosoever believeth," that is, truly and fully believeth," that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God." Every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him ;" and "Whosoever is born of God, doth not commit sin."5

995 66

We have all, my brethren, been born again. We have all cause to bless God that we have, by baptism, been made children of grace. And, therefore, the most interesting inquiry now is, how may we all attain to the higher and more glorious distinction of being children of God?

As "

6

no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost ;" and every step of our Christian progress depends upon the agency of the Spirit; a true knowledge of Him is manifestly of primary importance. Before we have attained to a right faith respecting the Person and Divine Nature of the Comforter, we are not in a condition to derive any farther substantial advantage from the offices he vouchsafes to perform in the work of our

1 Rom. viii. 14. 4 1 John, ii. 29.

21 John, iii. 10.
5 1 John, iii. 9.

3 1 John, v. 1. 6 1 Cor. xii. 3.

salvation. But when we have gained that step, we are conscious by whose assistance we have gained it; and being now duly sensible of the dignity of our immediate Helper and Guide, we are duly grateful for his aid. We are now convinced that "the Spirit of God," who hath wrought this faith in us, actually "dwelleth in us ;"7 and knowing that Spirit to be the very and eternal God himself, are impressed with the truth of the Apostle's representation, that we are "the temple of God;"8 and therefore dare not, under pain of the threatened destruction, defile that holy temple; but anxiously flee fornication, and every impure, every sinful thought, word, and deed, earnestly desiring to "glorify God in our body, and in our spirit, which are God's." "19

Knowing that "the Spirit," which " helpeth our infirmities," is the Lord God omnipotent, we do not faint under any trials, nor give way to any temptations, but are "strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might," and " put on the whole armour of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Knowing that "the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation," which

7 1 Cor. iii. 16.

8 Ibid.

1 Rom. viii. 26. 2 Ephes. vi. 10, 11.

C

9 1 Cor. vi. 20. 3 Ephes. i. 17, 18.

"enlighteneth the eyes of our understanding in the knowledge of God," is the very God of all wisdom himself, we feel deeply impressed with the value of his instructions; and therefore, praying for their continuance, apply ourselves diligently to the study of the Bible, employing our understandings in active, but humble obedience to our Divine Teacher. Thus we continually increase in the knowledge of the sanctifying truth of God's word.* The more progress we make in this sublime science,

the more are we convinced of our own natural blindness, and inability to advance a single step therein, without the guidance of the Spirit of Truth; and not only so, but we feel, that should we, by any arrogance or misconduct, provoke Him to forsake us, all our light would be turned into darkness; all our knowledge into folly; all our joy into bitterness; all our comfort into despair. This consideration effectually keeps us humble; and in proportion to our increasing knowledge of "the riches of his grace," we become more heartily desirous to secure them, and, therefore, more instant in prayer, more constant at church, more frequent at the Table of the Lord; more attentive to God's

4 John, xvii. 17.

word, whether read or expounded by His appointed ministers; more diligent in studying it at home; more uniform and earnest in our endeavours to yield a full and entire obedience to its precepts ;in a word, more deeply impressed with true Christian faith, more completely, and submissively, and thankfully "led by the Spirit of God."

Whosoever has attained to this degree of sanctification, cannot fail to reap the rewards of an approving conscience, to experience that heartfelt satisfaction and delight in the service of God, and that enlarged comprehension of his word, which are called in Scripture "an unction from the Holy One;"" the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father;" when "the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God;" by the delight he enables us to take in the service of God, and the unreserved obedience he enables us to yield to God's commandments. This is also called "the earnest of the Spirit," being a part (however small) of the promised reward, and a security that if we preserve it, and remain true to our engagements, we shall, in due time, receive the whole.

1 John, ii. 20.

6 Rom. viii. 15, 16. 7 2 Cor. i. 22.

That this may be the happy experience of every one here present, may God of his infinite mercy grant, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; to whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory for ever.-Amen.

« ForrigeFortsæt »