king is Jesus. He discovers man's guilt, God's righteousness, and Satan's condemnation. He produces humility, hope, and holiness. Works in us repentance, faith, and new obedience.

He to whom this work is ascribed, is styled the Comforter. True conviction precedes consolation; and gospel consolation increases tenderness and conviction. Conviction of sin precedes conviction of righteousness; for no one will prize Christ's righteousness till convinced of sin and conviction of righteousness precedes conviction of judgment; for Satan never will be dispossessed till we believe in Christ.

But, pass lightly over the import of the death of Christ, which so fully displays God's abhorrence of sin; begin with saying that the law is done with, that you need not concern yourself with any dispute whether its commands were right or wrong, or its penalty just or unjust; only believe you are pardoned, without any other evidence ;—and there is nothing in such a gospel to displease the carnal heart!

LXXXIII.

CHRIST'S DISCIPLES NOT OF THE WORLD.

JOHN Xvii. 16.

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. BRETHREN! These are the words of Jesus Christ, twice repeated, within a very short space, in his last solemn prayer to his Father. Their meaning must be important; and they refer not merely to the apostles, but to all whom the Father hath given him, or all who have been effectually called. They sufficiently show that our being born in any particular nation, will not prove us to be Christians; nor yet an external connexion with any denomination.

I fear, also, that they will too certainly evince, that the generality of those who make the most plausible profession of religion, are very deficient in their degree of conformity to Christ; and in the consistency of their conduct with their profession. However, we hope Christ has still a people upon earth to whom this description is applicable. May we

impartially examine his meaning in this expression, and try the nature and degree of our religion by it!

consider,

FIRST The import of this assertion.

Let us

I think it evidently implies a reflection upon the world, that the moral state of mankind is not as it should be; that men in general are of a depraved, corrupt taste. That they have apostatized from God, and are taken up with objects unworthy of their chief attention. That they

are very wrong in their practice, very sinful in their disposition; do not act in Christianity as rational and immortal creatures. The whole world lies in wickedness. Unregenerate men regard neither the divine glory, the general good, nor their own noblest interests. Whereas,

True Christians are of a peculiar, distinguishing taste. Though they are in the world, yet they are not of it. They were chosen out of the world, and given to Christ, in the decree of election, and by effectual calling. The dis

position that predominates in them, is not that which was native to them, in common with mankind in general; nor has it been produced by mere human suasion: but was imparted by God, who renewed them in the spirit of their minds, and made them new creatures. Superior objects

to any which earth can exhibit have been discovered to them they are taught to realize things invisible, but eternal; and seek an happiness more substantial than any that can be derived from things below, which perish with the using. The existence and excellence of this happiness, and the way of obtaining it, are discovered by their blessed Lord. This world therefore, is no longer their home; their citizenship is not here. They are strangers on earth; as persons sojourning in a strange land, or only travelling through it. They wish not to have their abode below; nor can any accommodations by the way make them forget home, or dispose them to settle here. And if they meet with ill usage, it is no more than what they might look for, and be content to put up with; since they will leave it so It is doubtless to be expected, that their chief anxieties, joys, and sorrows, will have reference to

soon.

the other world; that their thoughts will be employed mostly about it, and their affections chiefly set upon it. Their hopes will centre there; and their present pursuits must be congruous to their future expectations. It must be expected that their conduct will differ from that of the men of the world, as it will be influenced by a regard to that world to which they properly belong. For though they subsist in the world, yet they are not of the world; even as their blessed Lord was not of this world. This leads us to consider,

SECONDLY: The reasonableness of this declaration.

It is very evident that our blessed Lord was not of the world; he was from above; he was well acquainted with a more glorious world than this; he came into this world, not to seek a private temporal interest of his own, but to glorify God by the salvation of his people. He never affected worldly greatness; never sought honor from men; never hoarded earthly riches; never indulged himself in sensual pleasure; never sought earthly enjoyments. He was far from a worldly spirit; he neither accommodated himself to the taste of the men of the world, nor sought to recommend himself to their applause; but bore witness to the most unpalatable truths, and thus exposed himself to the world's hatred; and taught his disciples to expect that they must deny themselves, take up the cross, and follow him. He suggested that Satan was the prince of this world; and taught his disciples to expect tribulation in the world.

He

And now, it is reasonable that his people should show that they are not of the world, even as he was not of the world. He was the best judge of all things, earthly and heavenly; and we may safely go by his estimate. neither placed his happiness in the things of the world, nor did the men of the world regard him: it is therefore to be expected that his followers will side with their Lord, against the world; not with the world against him. fess to be the entire property of our Redeemer, having been bought with the price of his own blood. If we are Christians indeed, we are vitally united to Christ; so united to him as to be one spirit. We profess to

We pro

believe that he has entered for us, as our forerunner; that he is gone to prepare a place for us; and has promised to come again, that he may receive us to himself. We profess to expect a state of happiness widely different from earthly happiness; which will last for ever, be uncloying, and afford us full satisfaction to all eternity. Let us consider

then,

THIRDLY: The influence which this declaration should have on our temper and conduct.

Since our Lord so repeatedly declares of his people, They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world; "let us examine, if this declaration can be applied to us.

Must all around us own the justice of it? Can we aver, Like "as he is, so are we in this world." 1 John iv. If so, may not this assertion be expected to

17.

appear,

Many

In our management of our worldly business? of us are lawfully employed in the world; but is it not to be expected that things temporal will be evidently made subordinate to things spiritual; that Christians will conduct secular concerns with more dependance, prayer, acknowledgment of God, resignation, moderation, suppression of covetousness, integrity, veracity, and compassion, than other men?

As to the use of our property? Are you in this respect more sensible of accountableness to God, more benevolent, more concerned to do good to the souls as well as to the bodies of men; to honor the Lord with your substance, to show you have not made gold your god?"

Who would

As to our pleasures and amusements? waste his time in trifles, when called to attend to affairs of unspeakable importance? Who would risque his property in the uncertainties of a gaming table, who had a trade connected with a superior and more certain profit? Who would need to derive amusement from the representations of idle fictions, who has been taught to realize facts infinitely more astonishing and interesting than any that the heart of man can conceive? Who would

envy the pleasures of an insect, when he had tasted the joys of angels?

As to our peculiar friendships?

Who would want the

company of the children of the wicked one, when he might associate with the children of God, and enjoy communion with God himself?

Though time is of so

As to our improvement of time? little importance, separately considered; yet how great is its worth connected with eternity! "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." Can you persuade others to become emigrants, and seek, with you, after another country?

As to our anxiety for our children?

What turn does it take? That they may be rich and great? Or that they may be devoted to God, and become heirs of his heavenly kingdom?

If we are not of this

As to our views of death? world, as our Lord was not of this world, why are we so reluctant to leave it? Why so little eager in our aspirations after a state of perfection? Why do we not, with Paul, long to depart and be with Christ, which is far better? Why do we not long for conquest, rather than for conflict? For the presence of God, rather than absence from him? For perfection, rather than for sin?

LXXXIV.

JESUS AND MOSES COMPARED.

ACTS iii. 22.

For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me: him shall ye hear in all things, whatsoever he shall say unto you.

JESUS, though ever represented as a pattern of the deepest humility, yet scrupled not to affirm of himself that he was greater than Jonas, or than Solomon. Matt. xii. 41, 42. Luke xi. 31. 23. In this passage, he is compared with Moses, and is elsewhere represented as having far the pre-eminence