.s^r#' '^>«^j;^> ^ -\^,%^. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1128 fi32 |40 M IM 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ^ 6" - ► V] <^ /} VI C^!^/ ^^* S^, ^ % ^^.: V />^ « /f^. 7 Hiotographic Sciences Corporation iV # 4U-^ \ \ % .v^ -^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY MS80 (716) 872-4503 ^1>^ <^ r<>^ O^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVI/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 1980 Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6x6 possible de se procurer. 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PRINTED BY WILLIAM MAC NAB, 11 PRINCE STKKKT 1869 WIP»V '}•" Y ..'.' - 1 1.. , I .' . i«.jp|pn 7 ■pmiHpap ^m^gm^im ■^ •^ THE SCRIPTURAL TKST OK Ki'ho is, and ¥ha is §ot a (tluistiitn WITH SCRIPT UK AL INSTRUCT lOXS, 6lC BT JJIIN G. MARSHALL. Ifialifnv, H. ^. PRINTED BY WILLIAM MACNAB, 11 PRIXCi: STIiKET. 18G9. fffwWW ' f " '^winrr'pff^iiy^^wpp^ffni^ I^BPm ;^3 KA(isv\Ai_v_ ::i. G. 1^8913 Site Mi))tttral Zt%tr &r. Text. — " Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he ia none of His."— Romans viii. 9. These are most solemn and alarming words, and expressly appro- priate for making a deep and abiding impression on every indivi- dual professing Christianity, and attending on its ministrations. — Most especially should they lead every member of a Christian Church to close and prayerful e.>;amination of heart and life, to ascertain whether he does indeed possess the presence and influ- ence of that divine spirit, through whose gracious and abiding in- fluence alono, can he be said to belong to Christ, or in other words be a real Christian. During the several ages of Christianity, its profession has, unhappily, taken numerous divisional forms of sects and societies, bearing different names, and varying from each other, more or less, on certain points and particulars. Some of these differences relate to doctrines *, some to the organization of Churches and their method of government ; some to the modes of celebrating ordinances ; others as to ceremonies and observ- ances in conducting public worship ; others as to regulations and discipline regarding their members ; and on various other points. Now, the Divine Omniscient Being, who has given tho words of the text ; who knows all things, and the end of all of them from the beginning, knew that all these differences and variations would occur, but He has made no allusion to them, either in the ext or context. lie has, in effect, declared, as to any and every age, that whatever a person's profession of Christianity may be, as to doc- trines, church fellowship, or any of the other particularf, just men- tioned, if he have not ** the spirit of Christ," he does not belong to him, and consequently is not a Christian. Now, the scripture most emphatically declares '' that there is no salvation in any n , L-^-iT otlior" thiiii Christ ; aiul that "there is none otlier name uinlor lieaveii, jjiveii amon^ men, wherolty we must he saved." — Ami further, there is not a \\'uv>\ in Scri[)ture, to Iiitiimite that any mental ov moral sentiments or re(.'lin;^s, or external prolossion, or conduct, will he ofthe slij^htest .ivail towards olttaininj.^ the rei^en- eration and salvation of the soul, independent of the; possession and inllnence of that divine spirit mentioneil in the text. Here it hccomes re([uisite to ascertain an I ddiiie lh<,' true mean- ing of the words — " tiu; spirit of Christ." In othei- Scripture pas- sages we find the expression — "tlu- mind of Christ," which to some may apjiear to he of the same import and meaning. But it is in nature and reference widely dillenMit. The expression — " the mind of Ciirist " — seems to relate to the human mind and charac- ter t)f the blessed Savistur, as originated aiid procec.'ding from the union of the dii'ine with his /lanian nature. JUit the words of the text — " the spirit of Christ," most certainly mean, the Holy Spirit, the third person in the united, eternal, and glorious Deity. The following are jiassages of Scripture similar to the text—" the spirit of life in Christ Jc^us — (Romans viii. *2). In the s.ime verse as the text the spirit of Christ is called — " the spirit of God." Also, " God hath sent forth the spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba, Father" — (Gal. iv. G.) "The supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ" — (l*hil. i. 10.) "Searching what, or what manner of time, the sjiirit of Christ which was in them did signify " — (1 Peter i. 11.) " Having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear"— (Acts ii. 3,'].) These last words were a part of the address of the Apos- tle Peter to the Jews on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost descended in such plenary and rich elfusiou on the asstnnblod Apostles. The Holy Spirit is most appropriately named, " the spirit of Christ," because His gracious influences, for the quicken- ing and thorough regeneration of human souls, have been pur- chased by the obedience, sufferings, and death of the Lord Jesus Christ; for the Scriptures declare, "He was made a curse for us;" — " bare our sins in his own body ou the tree ;" and thereby became "a propitiation for the sins of the whole world." Some consideration may next bo given to the grounds and reasons 1." — ,t any )U, or •(.creil- iii and mcan- •i) pas- icU to ut it is -" the jhaiao- jiii the of the Si)ifit, . The si)iiit prse as ^ Also, crying Jcsua nuor oi" I Pctor ic Holy - (Acts u Apos- y Ghost Mubled I, " the uickcn- icn pur- Jcsus lor us;" I the re by 1 reasons whicli nmdi^ it ro(HiiHito for tho reconciliation of man to his od'cmh^d (lod; — his presi-rvation from everlastintj; punishment ; — and his pro- sent and cliM-nal salvation and happiness, thattlie fjord .Tosiis (Muist shf)nld corn*' into tho world, and thus suffer and die. Of such roii- Hnus,iirsf ni:iy l><» mentioned, the pcrfcet and inlicxilih; holiness and justice of the Supreme Hcin;^-, the •^Horiors CnMtor and Kuler of the Tniverse. In the revelation concerninj^ Himself, which Ho has ji^iven us in the inspired Script ur(»s, and wlvrr mih/ His true attrihules and character can he ascertained and known, W(» lind it declared that " He is j^lorious in holiness ;" (Kx. xv. 11) is " ri;jfh- tcous in all His ways, jind holy in all His works;'' (l*s. cxiv. IT) that the myriads who worship in His immediate presence and cele- brate imd extol His perfect and ^'lorious attributes, incessantly cry " Holy, holy, holy;" (llev. iv. 8) It is further declared that He is "a just (iod;"(I.s. xlv, 21) that "justi(M» atul jud^'nient ar(^ tho haltitation of his throne;" (Ts. Ixxxix. 11) that He is "u II, is a perfectly hf»ly place. Of the future new Jerusalem, tiie City of God, in whicli they will all forever dwell with Him, ami the holy and g-lorious Ueileemer, it is declared; — "there shall in nowise enter into it, any thinj^ that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomirjation, or makcth u lie, but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life ;" (Kev xxi. 27.) We also see in Scripture, that the anj^tds who rebelled were cast out of heaven, aiul consig-ned to (n-erlasting" torments — no Kedc.'cmer or Saviour beiiifj^ provided for them. Wo further learn from the same inspired record, that it was for one prohibited and disobedient act of our first parents, that they were expelled from paradise ; their holy nature in which they had been created, having, by that one act, been forfeited and lost ; and the corrupt and rebellious nature engendered and established ; and their whole i)osterity also rendered radically infected and polluted. Through the pride of that apostate and corrupt nature, many deny that conac(|ucnt and transmitted depravity. But He who inado man, and knows thoroughly all the propensities, and desires, incli- nations, and feelings, which belong to his fallen moral character, has declared in His infallible word, concerning man, universally, that "every imagination of the thoughts of his heart, was only evil and that continually ;" that "the imagination of maw's heart is evil from his youth;" and again, that "both Jews and Gentiles they are all under sin." Now, let it bo noted and remem- bered that these divine declarations arc not made, or limited, as to any specified individuals, or bodies, or classes of mankind ; but of man, as a being ; and regarding his nature uniccrsalli/. His whole history, while in his unregcnerate state, fully accords with those Scriptural testimonies of his depraved nature, as manifested in the base idolatries, murders, cruelties, and various other abom- inable deeds and numerous vile, and sinful practices, which have so greatly abounded through all ages and generations ; and most of them, even in countries whose people potssessed the Scriptures of divine revelation, and professed the true reli- gion. With a vast portion of these, so highly favoured, — there has indeed been no real fear or love of God, or obedience to His commands, or desire for the blessings of the great and gra- cious salvation. He has, through the sacrifice of His son, provided for them, and so freely offered for their acceptance. Seeing, then, so clearly, from inspired Scripture, that the great Creator and God of the universe, is a Being of such infinite holiness, and justice ; and that man, in his natural state, is so depraved and sinful, how can they come together in harmony and peace, for as Scripture on the subject enquires, " how can two walk together, except they be agreed ?" In one or other, there must be a spiritual and moral change. In the great and holy God there can be none, for as Scripture declares, " lie changeth not ;" — and " with Him is no variableness or shadow of turning." The change, then, must be in the nature of man ; and it must be of a radical and thorough character. But further, it cannot be effected by any desires or ef- forts of man ; for Scripture declares, and all experience has shown, that "no man hath quickened his own soul ;" or, un- aided by divine influence, can even retain the imparted vital s o Q h f- graces ; but the "salvation" they effect, from first to last, " be- longeth unto the Lord ;" for he hath most emphatically declared, that all who experience that spiritual change, arc "born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." But blessed be that God of grace ai»d mercy, that Ho has, of his own lovingkindness towards us of the whole human race, — as distinguished from apostate angels, — provided a most sublime and perfect method for our deliverance from all the bitter and deadly consequences of inward depravity and sin, and moral evil ; and for the renewal and sanctification of our nature ; and thereby a restoration to his image and favour ; and if faithful to that grace, and in loving obedience, relying on the merits of the divine Re- deemer, the bestowmont ultimately, of everlasting happiness, in His eternal and glorious kingdom. We have, in the sacred and infallible word, the gracious intelligence that "God so loved tho world, that lie gave his only begotten Son ;" and that Son freely gave himself, to be "a propitiation for our sins," " the just for the unjust ;" took upon Ilim our nature, in a sinless and holy state ; became for us "a man of sorrows and acijuainted with grief;" "magnified the law and made it honorable;" "was wounded for our transgressions ;" " bore the chastisement of our peace ;" " be- came obedient unto death, even t'.ie death of tho cross," for us men and for our salvation. After thus suffering and dying for us, lie rose triumphant from the grave, " for our justification ;" and " ascended on high, leading captivity captive ; and received gifts for men ;" most especially the gift of tho Holy Spirit., to regener- ate and sanctify our nature, and thus restore us to the image and favour of God. These, and all other inestlinablo spiritual blessings have been purchased for us by that meritorious obedience, and those agonizing sufferings and death of the Lord Jesus Christ. The origination and conveyance of all the graces, and qualifica- tions of man's regenerated and renewed spirit, are, as the Scrip- tures testify, effected through the quickening and sustaining ope- rations of the Holy Spirit, the third person in tho glorious God- head, called in Scripture, as already shown " the Spirit of Christ." Through the divine mercy, the atoning and redeeming work of the Saviour was, from the first, by anticipation, made available for the f I 8 liopc, comfort, and salvation of all wiio relieil on the first divino promise, that llw need of the woman should bnii.-^e tlie Serpent's head ; and on the numorous j^racious promises, which from time to time, thronp^h a long' course of aj^os, wore g^ivon and recorded l>y inspired prophets, and " lioly men of God, who spake as they were moved by the Holy (jiliost." On those promises patriarchs, prophets, and all other believing and rijjjhtcons souls, rested with implicit confidence, and thus experienced pardon and j)oace. Tiio following;', and similar promises, aftordcd them hope and comfort under all their varied temptations and trials ; and they still servo the same supporting* uiid cheering purposes, undei the like dispen- sations, in the case of every genuine christian believer; — "lie healoth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds." (Ps. cxlvii. 3) "Call upon me in the day of trouble and 1 will deliver thee," (Ps. i. 15.) "The Lord shall guide thee continually. (Is. Iviii. 11.) "Be of good courage, and lie shall strengthen your liearts, all ye that hope in the Lord," (Ps. xxxi. 21.) "I will ransom them from the power of the grave, I will redeem them from death." (llos. xiii. 14.) Those holy men under the Mosaic dis- pensation, were made well aware of the necessity for such spiritual influence and assistance, relying on such promises as the following : " I will pour my spirit upon you." (Is. xliv, 3.) "I will put my spirit within you." (Ezck. xxxvi. 27.) And we find some of them crying, — "Take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free spirit." (Ps. li. 11, 12.) The Psalms, in numerous portions, describe the operations of the Holy Spirit in the inward religious exercises of the authors of those sublime and .leeply adecting compositifiu;. The influence of the Holy Spirit on the servants of the Lord, under the preceding and legal dispensation, were not, — except v: a few instances, — accompanied with the power to work miracles ; but were imparted, as they always have been bestowed, and will be to the end of time, as essentially needlul to regenerate and sanctify the human spirit, and thus prepare it for the spiritual worship and service of its Divine Creator and Saviour, while here, and to prepare and qualify it for more pure and exalted worship and service in the eternal kingdom of perfect holiness and happiness. The assertion 9 of our Lord, tliat " unless a man bo born aji^ain/' — born of water and of the »'^pirit, "lie cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven" were just as applicable, and universally true and binding before his appearance on earth as they are under the present dispens.ition, and they will continue to be the same, "until the mystery of God upon earth shall be finished." On the part of our unchangeable and omnipotent God, there is not oidy perfect willingness, but the most fervent desire, — so to speak, — that all mankind should be saved from sin, ami all its present and future ruinous consequences. lie has thus sworn by Himself; — "As I live saith the Lord, I have no ])leasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live." And as of old, I[e called by His prophet, lie has since been doing the same by Ilis Word, and urgently entreating ; " turn ye, turn ye, from your evil ways, for why will ye die ;" " let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." By these, and many similar promises. He has manifested an intense desire that all should repent and be saved. The case of those, not favoured with the written revelation of divine mercy, ic not here specially taken uiiderview, or intended to be full}' treated of. Their salvation is divinely provided for, as we may learn from several passages of Scripture ; especially fri)m these which declare that '" God is no res|)ecter of persons ;" but "will have all men to be saved;" that the Lord Jesus Christ " gave Himself a ransom for all ;" and that when the Gentiles which have not the law, do by nature, the things contained in the law, these, having not the law are a law unto themselves ; which show the work of the law, written in their hearts, their conscieiu'o also bearing witness ; and their thoughts, the meanwhile, accusing, or else excusing one another." That most eminent and pious Divine, the Ilev. John Wesley, has truly written to the eftect, that to all these who live in conformity with those inward lights, or vicegerents of — cont^cience and reason, Christ is as " a principle of redem|)tion ami eternal salvation." Some remarks may here be oflered, as to the reasons why such 10 vast numbers who are favoured with the sacred Scriptures, do not seek to obtain the divine mercy and salvation, so freely and repeat- edly offered to them in those inspired records ; and even intreat- ingly urged for their acceptance. The conduct of all such persona evidently discloses the melancholy fact, that they are not willing to comply with the just and gracious terms, on whicli those in- estimable blessings are to be obtained. There are, indeed, as the Scriptures declare, certain conditions involved in those overtures of mercy ; or in other words, some relinquishments to be made by the sinner, in a just cqnformity with the requisitions of the Divine Creator and Sovereign, as regards His holy and glorious attributes. The siimer is required to turn from his evil ways, at the same time that, through grace, he accepts of the offers of mercy, aud also to be diligent in the use of the divinely appointed means for obtaining the promised deliverance and salvation ; for the Saviour commands — " bring forth fruits meet for repentance ;" " If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." The penitent seeker of mercy must also immediately forsake all sinful companions, associations, and fellowships ; for the Lord has commanded, " come out from among them, and be ye separate," " have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." He must persovcringly comply with the gracious invitations and commands ; — " If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him ;" steadfastly believing the truth and faithfulness of the promise, and patiently expecting its fuliilment, that " every one that asketh recciveth, and he that seoketh lindelh, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." He needs deep, heart-felt repentance, and as Scripture declares, "Jesus is exalted a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance and forgiveness of sins," he must pray to him, and in his name, for that repentance, and im- plore Ilini to take away the "stony heart" and according to the promises, grant him the influences of the Holy Spirit, to produce " the heart of flesh," the tender conscience, and contrite spirit, and all those other graces which constitute and manifest true conver- sion, and ultimately produce entife holiness of heart and life. While God thus works inwardly by His Holy Spirit, the convinced 11 penitent must, as commanded, give all diligence to secure a sense of pardoning mercy, through the witness of the Spirit, as scriptu- rally promised. Having received this inestimable blessing, he must not indolently or unwatchfully, rest satisfied in its enjoyment, but in the constant and believing use of all the divinely appointed means, — of fervent prayer and supplication, reading and meditating in faith, on the sacred Word, attending public worship, with self-ex- amination, and other means and ordinances, he must earnestly seek that he may bo made strong in tiio faith, and " grow in grace and ia the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ." lie must at the same tiuic, diligently persevere in obedience to all the revealed will of God, and faithful performance of all relative duties, as scripturally commanded, constantly seeking grace and wisdom, and looking constantly " unto Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith," for all spiritual blessings. But It him beware of rest- ing satisfied in the use of the outward means, but still persevering in these, he must confidently expect the promised and happy results, first a divine witness of forgiveness, and ultimately the cleansing of his heart and life from all unrighteousness, so as to be thereby fully qualified for every good word and work, and by walk- ing circumspectly in the filial fear and love of God, and comfort of the Holy Ghost, manifest that he does love his God and Saviour, who has declared, " he that hath my commandments and keepetii them, he it is that loveth me." But why is it that such immense numbers, yea the vast majority in the most evangelically christian countries, blessed with divine and gracious invitations and promises, do not strive to secure that regeneration of heart, and righteousness and holiness of life ? It is because they will not comply with the just and merciful terms on which those rich blessings are proposed to them. They are in love with their sins and vanities, and devoted to their practice. There- fore, they will not repcuu of tiiem and refrain froni their commission. They are like thv>se of old, of whom tiic Lord complained, "I iiave called, and ye have refused ; I have stretched out my hand, but no man regarded," (Prov. i. 24.) "Stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the old paths whore is the good way, and walk therein and yc shall find rest unto your souls, but they said wc will not walk 1!' 12 therein. Also, I set watchmen over you, saying", hearken to the Bound of the trumpet, but they said, we will not hearken," (Jer. vi., 10, It) "Wo will walk after our own devices." (Jer. xviii. 12). They will not comply with the requisitions of the Saviour " If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." They arc those of whom ho complains, "Ye will not come unto me, that ye mir^ht have life." They " love idols, and after them will they g^o ;" — idols whioli they make to themselves, of — " the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life." Some in sensuality, in festive and luxurious entertainments, and various other forms, especially in the use of intoxicating liquo.3, and in the vain and expensive displays in apparel and dwellings, in attendance at public sports and exhibi- tions, and the numerous other modes of silly amusements or cor- rupting dissipations, contrary alike to religion and rationality, and now so greatly abounding. They are of this world, and imitate and practice its customs and fashions, and though professing Christianity, and many of them membei>} of churclies, they will not take the principles and precepts of Cliristianity, as revealed in the Scriptures, for the foundation of their faith, aud guide of their con- duct, but are conformed to the world, and follow the multitude in ways of ungodliness and folly. While having " a name to live," they arc dead as to spiritual life, neither knowing nor desiring the self-denying principles, and strict and narrow path of godliness; but are really living without true Christian hope, and "without God in the world." They wish to be, or to be thonghf to be 7'el}gwus', without spiritual conversion ; and Christiana without self-denial. Rut such dissociations Scriptural religion will not allow, but wherever it exists, tliose essentials will ever be found combined. Others there arc, who, — inspired by vanity and ambition, — are ardently pursuing and grasping at the phantoms of popular favour and applause, or official honour and distinction. Those cannot re- ceive and obey the self-denying and humbling demands of Chris- tian doctrine and practice. They belong to the class of Avhom the Saviour said, — " How can ye believe who receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that ccnieth from God only." 13 There is a numerous class also of merely nominal and formal jvo- fe.-isorii in the present day who in the various pursuits and oniploy- nients of life, arc ardently strivinj^ to accumulate and lay up worldly treasures, for selfi^h and earthly purposes. These are, in reality the votaries of mammon. They forgi.'t, or disregard, the plain warnings and injunctions of Scripture, — " Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth." "It it easier for a camel to go through the eye of a neinlle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.'' " They that will be rich, fall into temptation and a snare ; and into many fjolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition." " Thou, 0, man of God flee these things." There is yet another class, chiefly composed of young persons, especially females, who either through their own reflections or by the persuasions of (jthers, — being led to conclude that it is becom- ing a)id proper that they should join a Church, and be religious, — go forward at the meetings, during some real or supposed revival of religion ; or in some other manner, signify their desires on those points. In the ordinary course, — and mostly too readily, they are regarded as true penitents, and are soon concluded to be truly converted, and by friends or others, are given to understand, or even assured, to that effect. They join a church and partake of its special and most solemn ordinances. But never having been instructed as to the true nature and character of Scriptural Chris- tianity, and its essential requirements ; and not having — by the operations of the Divine Spirit — been truly awakened to a sense of their sinful and dangerous state by nature and practice, and expo- sure to final condemnation and punishment, and consequently not having entered the fold, by the straight gate of true repentance, they are of the class described by the Saviour, as being* like the seed which " fell upon a rock," which by some form of persecution, or other offence ; and still retaining some, or all, of their former vanities and follies, and ensnaring associations, they either entirely fall away from their lifeless profession, or continuing in it, — if not really awakened by some divine agency, — remain under the same mere form of godliness, without its power, and become confirmed in self- deception through satauic or worldly delusions, or both, ^- 1 14 until death poals their everlasting roin. One chief cause of the fatal mistake and deception of aTl in the above class is^^ that they have never obtained a knowledge of the nature and essential quali- ties of a real spiritual conversion, as described in Scripture, and of the Divine requirements therein included ; more especially of the nature and characteristins of that genuine repentance, which al- ways, and of necessity, precedes and accompanies such spiritual conversion. Yet that repentance as a Scriptural doctrine, is im- peratively required and commanded, at the very commencement of conversion, and a religious life. Under the Old Testament legal dispensation, the commands and promises were : " Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, let him re- turn unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon," Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so iniquity shall not be your ruin." " He that covereth his sins shall not prosper, bat whoso confcsseth and forsaketh them, shall have mercy." Similar primary requisitions are made, an 1 commands given, by the Baptist, the introducer of the Christian dispensation ; by the Saviour himself; and by the inspired Apostles, throughout the New Testament Scriptures. The following are some of them and of enduring obligation : — Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand ;" " Bring forth, therefore, finiits worthy of repentance ;" (Matt. iii. 2, 8.) "Repent ye, and believe the Gospel." (Mark i. 36.) " But now commandeth all men everywhere to repent," (Acts xvii. 30.) Through defect of timely instruction, and of knowledge as to this primary doctrine of genuine repentance, mul- titudes of souls, especially among the young, form the class of un- converted and merely formal professors, already described, and remain until death in the ruinous slumbers of self-deception. They attend on the outward ministrations and ordinances, even the Holy Sacrament, but on these solemn occasions equally as at all other times, they retain and exhibit all the vanities and costly or gaudy decorations of apparel and jewellery, and nea4y if not quite the same frivolities of conversation, amusements and general conduct, as previously. Poor, simple deceived beings, they are really less blameable than those whose duty it is to a£ford them the needed 15 instruction towards genuine repentance and conversion ; and for abstaining from those vanities and other mere worldly and ruinous customs and conformities. They retain these as fully as previous to their supposed conversion, the female portion of them most es- pecially, as to gay and gaudy apparel and ornaments. Thoy will say, as do many others, of the formal professing class, that these decorations are things of indifference, as regards religious princi- ple and practice ; and form no part of the tests as to spiritual con- version, and real piety. The Holy Spirit of wisdom has not so judged, but by His servant Paul, in one of the Epistles to Timoth}', has commanded, — " that women adorn themselves in modest appa- rel, with shamefacedness and sobriety ; not with broidcred hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array ; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works ;" — and again, in one of the Epistles of Peter, the same spirit has said coiie n*ning Christian women, — " whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning, of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel." But so lar from these self-denying and appropriate in- junctions Icing obeyed, they are almost utterly disregarded ; inso- much that but rarely, indeed, in any denomination, is a difference to be seen, between professors of religion, — members of churches, — and those who make no such special profession but are votaries of fashion, and of worldly customs and conformities. Looking into any assembly, for divine worship, on Sabbath, or any other day, the exhibitions, as to those varieties of apparel and other decorations, are nearly, if not quite, equal to those displayed in the theatre, the opera house, or at the various public and pri- vate festive and gay entertainments of mere worldly and fashion- able life. Let all such gay and fashionable professors look also into chapter iii. of the prophet Isaiah, and mark and remember what is there said of similar vanities by the women of Israel. Yet they were under a less strict and spiritual dispensation than our own. To the female professor who now retains those vanities, this New Testament Scripture applies; — "She is dead while she liveth," — dead as to the Spiritual Christianity which lives here be- low, and saves to eternal life above. If she really desires that life, she must lay aside all those ruinous vanities, or else she will find at the end, infinitely worse than vanity her only recompense. 16 Tlio inconsistencies and numerous defections of these deceived professors, produce amonr^ mere worldly persons, — utterly careless as to luiy desire or j)rofession of piety,— this one, among other evil effects, that they are thereby i-endered even more averse to the spirit and observances of true Scriptural religion, and become more fully conlirmed in their infidel opinit^i, that all inward exixn'icncc of the vital and transforming |)ower of religion is altogv'tlier false, and mere deception or hypocrisy. IJut in bo judging they are add- ing to tlieir own guilt and condemnation. Tho conduct of those deceived professors cannot possibly Ibrm any excuse for their own ungodliness and neglect of seeking true conversion. They have the inspired Scriptures of truth, in their own language, ready i'oi- obtainmcnt, if not in their houses; and are free to attend on their numerous evangelical ministrations. Therefore, in the rejection, or wilful neglect of these gracious means and privileges, they arc without th" least shadow of excuse, for not repenting and turning from evil, and by a life of Scriptural laith and obedience, endea- vouring to secure theii own salvation. To all these, most em- phatically and pointedly apply, the divine warnings, exhortations and commands : — "They would none of my counsel, they despised all my reproof, therefore shall they eat of tljc fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices." "How siiall we escape if we neglect so great salvation;" — " Kepent ye, and be- lieve the Gospel." ifJcgarding the deceived classes, previously mentioned, a few ad- .ditional remarks may be profitably oflered. While retaining their several worldly desires, and still earnestly striving for their fulfil- ment, they wish to be thought religious, and really to be so, ac- cording to various standards which each class of such worldlings, and other unconverted persons fix for themselves. But all such standards are incomparably below that of the Scriptures. Indeed they do not look there to find the true and only reliable standard. Thus they deceive themselves, and show the truth of the Scripture which says *'thc heart is deceitful above all things." When such persons, by some dishonest, or other immoral conduct, expose the falsity of their religious profession, they are stigmatised as hijpocntes, but in most of such instances, that is not their charac- n ter, in the strict meaning of the term, bat their proper appellation is self -deceivers. A hypocrite is one who wilfully and designedly makes a profession of religion, and attends on its ministrations and services, for the purpose of being thereby assisted to secure some object of worldly wealth, or of dignity, public or private trust, or of some other merely secular description. But the self-deceiver really wishes to be religious, but only on his own terms, of still re- taining and indulging in his selfish designs and practices. Not prayerfully and earnestly searching the scriptures to obtain a know- ledge of the Spiritual and renewing character of Christianity, and its indespensiblo requisites of vital faith, love, and obedience, he yet securely expects salvation, and eternal life, though still remain- ing in a merely natural, or carnal state. If not divinely awakened to a sense of his danger, and failing to the end of life, to obtain that essential spiritual knowledge, he blindly clings to the same delusive expectation, and notwithstanding all his external profession, and his numerous services, however sincere, he is eternally ruined. Not having received and retained " the spirit of Christ, he is none of His ;" and therefore cannot obtain an entrance into Ilis holy and spiritually perfect kingdom. But turning from the deplorable case of such self-deceivers, mention may next be made, of some of the principal moans to be used, by those who have been divinely awakened to a convincing sense of their guilt and danger, and of their absolute and urgent need of the regenerating grace and power of " the spirit of Christ,'' to make them truly His peo;)le, — subjects of His spiritual kingdom, and inheritors of everlasting glory and happiness. The first, or most important of the exercises of such awakened persons, for obtaining the desired consolation, as indeed for all others, throughout the christian course, is earnest, persevering prayer ; foi Scripture declares, " If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and npbraideth not, and it shall be given him." " If ye who are evil, give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give good things to them that ask him." And let not any such praying and seeking souls faint or be discouraged, if they do not receive an immediate ansvwr. of pardon and peace, for the Lord 2 r ■ 18 often tries their sincerity unci earnestness, by withlioMing for a time, according to his wisdom and goodness, the needed blessing. But lot such penitent seekers persevere like the patriarch of old, who wrestled long, until nearly fainting, but still crying, — " 1 will not let thee go unless thou bless mo ;" and " He blessed him there." The inestimable witness of tiie Holy Spirit conveying the assurance of pardoning mercy, will, to all such persevering suppliants, surely come, for he is fiithful who has promised, and has lor encourage- ment said ; — " Wait on the Lord, be of courage, and ho ^hall strengthen your heart; — "They shall not be ashamed that wait for me;" — "They shall praise the Lord that seek Him.'' Let the seeking soul then firmly rely on these and similar divine i)romises, and i)lead them at the throne of grace, and confidentl}' rely on their being fulfilled, and ho will surely obtain the needed blessing, at the earliest and best time for his greatest spiritual good. To encourage all such seeking souls, the Saviour has said : — " Come unto m<>, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest ;" and again, " I will give unto him that is athirst, of the fountain of the water of life, freely." This fountain of the water of life is the Holy Spirit, called in our text, and in Ihc other portions of Sciipturc previously referred to, — " the spirit of Christ." Further, and most essential means and exercises for observance by the penitent seeker of salvation, and all through his christian course, are earnest and prayerful searchings into the sacred Scrip- tures, and meditations thereon ; with close and faithful examina- tions into his own habitual, or prevailing desires, feelings, and pursuits ; and the course or habits of his ordinary life ; comparing these with the plain declarations and injunctions of Scripture. These exercises are expressly enjoined, as we see in the following passages of the divine word : — " Ye shall lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul;" — "Search the Scriptures;" — " Receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." "Meditate on these things," and "ponder the path of thy feet." In the psalms we hear the seeking soul declaring : — "I commune with mine own heart, and my spirit made diligent rsearch ;" — " I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto .thy ways;" — "I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto 19 thy tcstiinonica." Hut tlio merely formal and careless professor will not rr'w'O liimsolf the trouble to onpvf^e in suoh strict unci ear- nest exorcises, but by his conduct says, \n effect, — it is a weariness ; and ''there is a lion in the way." lie merely desires, but has nothinp^. "The desire (^f the slothful killcth him." lie is like the slu^rpT-'^rd, who "will not plouii^h by reason of the cold, therefore shall ho bf'pc in harvest, and have nothinj^," and becomes sunk into a (loop sleep of ignorance as to tru<' vital religion. If not awaken- ed and recovered by divine merey, he at last goes down to endless perdition and punishment, adding to the myriads of instances, proving how appropriate, in such cases, is the saying, that " iiell is paved with good desires." A further means to be diligently employed by all who arc seek- ing to be spiritually regenerated and saved, is, persevering attend- ance on the public means of grace, especially the preaching of the divine word, for that word declares and j)romises : — " Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God ;" — " Let us go up lo the House of the Lord, and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths ;" — " Where two or three are met together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." In the diligent use of the beforcmentioned means of grace, con- joined with a departure from all evil ways and works, and the exercise of faith in the fulfilment of the divine promises, the pardon- ing and justifying operations of the Holy Spirit, called " the spirit of Christ," may be confidently expected ; for he is faithful who has- promised, — " I will pour out my spirit upon you ;" — " lam he that comforteth you ;" — " Because ye are sons, God hath sent the spirit of His son unto your hearts, crying Abba Father." Such renewed and justified soul' will then rejoicingly say, like the disburdened and happy spirits of old; — "Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time their corn and their wine increased ;" — " Lord I will praise thee, though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comforteth me." The numerous promises of delivering and consoling grace, have not been confined to any particular ages of the church, but are the common privilege, and for the encouragement of all, in every age and country, who- are seeking, or in any degree enjoying, the blessings they include. ■V 20 Revelation declares that whatsoever things were written aforetime^ were written for our learning, that we, through patience and com- fort of the Scriptures might have hope ;" that " whosoever siiall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved ;" and that rat- ing change are in accordance with the inward now desires, princi- ples, and dispositions, according to tho Scripture illustration and emblem, that " the tree is known by its fruit." Tho genuine vital Christian discharges all his duties to God and to man, as well as those of a personal nature, conscientiously, and with zeal and dili- gence. He regularly attends on the public means of grace, and to family and private worship, and daily and prayerfully searcli(!s the Scriptures for instruction and encouragement. By all these and other means and exercises he exhibits a faithful adherence to his Lord's cause and assists to produce good ellects upon others. His contributions for the promotion and other interests of religion, are with heartfelt gratitude and zeal, liberally rendered. He kindly and faithfully practises honesty, justice, mercy, and beneficence, and all other relative duties. His truly religious character is fur- ther exhibited, by the personal graces and duties of humility, meek- ness and patience in his habitual conduct ; by self-denial, diligence in honest and useful employments ; temperance in tho use of all lawful things, and other personal virtues, in conformity with Scrip- ture precepts. Possessing those inward spiritual graces, and thus shewing " out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom," it is manifest to himself and to others, that he is indeed a partaker of " the spirit of Christ ;" not merely a professor of Christianity, but, in reality a Scriptural Christian. iJ I" 22 There are some who, although admitting' the direct operation of that Divine Spirit on the soul fo; its regeneration, yet think it to be a work or cfTect that neither is or can be consciously felt or known, or experimentally enjoyed, by those on whom it is wrouglit. The several passages of wScripture on the point already cited, and many others which might be mentioned, clearly shew that such a direct and conscious testimony of the Holy Spirit is a perfoctl}' valid doctrine. They not only prove that it may be obtained b}' true believers, but also show that it is the privilege of all such, in every age, to possess and enjoy it, in a conscious and unmistak- able manner, in a greater or less degree, according to the measure of their faith, and zealous and active obedience. One of the Scriptural passages previously cited, mentions a wit- ness of the Holy Spirit with the spirit of man. Now a witness is one who makes known certain facts or things to another ; and surely in every such case, the person to whom such knowledge is so im- parted must, at the time, be conscious of its reception. So the pen- itent will know by that gracious witness of the Divine Spirit, that God hath pardoned him, and that Christ is thus formed in him the "hope of glory." This accords with the Scripture, which says : — " Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates." But further, it is in full accordance with reason and of all true philosophy relative to the subject, that lie who, at first, form- ed from Himself, the human spirit, can by the direct operation of His oion stpirit, thereon, either depress and afflict or strengthen and elevate, quicken and enlighten, sustain and comfort, that human spirit, and cause it to rejoice in a thoroughly convincing consciousness of the pardoning mercy and favour of Him who called it into being. We are all fully conscious of the natural feelings of love and aver- sio7i, of envy, anger, ambition, and the various other passions and emotions which arise or dwell within us. Surely, then, on the ground of reason alone, we must be conscious of the presence and influence and direct witness of that gracious Spirit, who is love itself, and who, as the Scriptures declare, bestows on the hearts and souls He regenerates His own fruits of "love, joy and peace," making them to " abound " in every confiding and obedient be- liever. 23 d c d r Is ft A brief and general description may now be given, of the chief privileges and blessings divinely conferred on the true obedient Christiciii, and which so greatly contribute to his own happiness, while passing through this earthly and probationary state. The first and greatest of all, and on which, indeed, all the others de- pend, is the conscious assurance of the forgiveness of all his past transgressions, through tlio witness of the Holy Spirit, witnessing to his own spirit that God is reconciled to him, and has adopted him as His son, according to the Scripture testimony on the point ; thereby enabling him conlidiMitly to say, — "Abba, Father, the Lord is my God ;" — "Though thou wast angry with me, thine an- ger is turned away." " lie hath turned my sorrow into glad- ness ;" therefore "I will [)raiso thee, and will trust and not be afraid." While so trusting and acting in obedience to the divine commands, contained in the Scriptures, he may, and according to the degree of his faith docs, actually rely on the Scripture assur- ances of the divine protection from all real evil; and of a safe guidance through all the pathway of life. These assurances tell him, as to protection, — "His truth shall be thy shield and buck- ler." "The Lord is thy keeper, and shall preserve from all evil." For instruction and guidance he is told; — "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths," — "He will be our guide even unto death." Tor preservation from trouble. He has the following, among many other promises: — "Surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him," — " there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." Butifinthccour.se of Divine Providence, alllic- tion or trouble of any kind is perniittad to fall on the righteous man, for his chastening or any other gracious purpose, he has for his support and consolation, these and other enduring promises ; — "The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble." "The salvation of tiie righteous is of the Lord, He is their strength in the time of trouble." '' Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain thee." But further, he has the following with many other divine assurances of deliverance from trouble : — " The Lord redeeraeththe soul of His servants ; and none of them that trust in Him shall- be desolate." "I will turn their mourning 24 into joy, and will comfort them, and make them to rejoice from their sorrow." The righteous and faithful servant of the Lord, has also these and other divine promises as to his dying hours : — "The Lord will strengthen him on the bed of languishing." " The righteous hath hope in his death." "Precious in the sight of God is the death of His saints." But infinitely beyond, and richer than all temporal blessings and enjoyments, are the eternal glories and happiness, which the Lord, in his iaithful word, has so frequently promised to bestow in His lieavenly kingdom, on all those who have, until death, faithfully continued to love and to serve him. To these he has promised to change their "vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body," and further, has said, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life ;" — " The righteous shall shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Fatlier ;'' — " The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of water ; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Now, on tlie other hand, a few Scripture announcements may be given, as to the guilt and danger of neglecting to seek and obtain " the spirit of Christ," and thereby remaining in an uiiregciierate state, and consequently under the displeasure of God wliile here, and hereafter experiencing eternal wrath and punishment ibr that neglect, and for disobedience to His revealed will and commands. Let all such neglectful and disobedient characters deeply meditate on the following, and many similar passages of the inspired and immutable Word : — " Except a man be born of water, and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God;" — " ILnv shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation ;" — The word escape, in this last passage, evidently means an escape from condemnation and punishment, at the decreed final judgment and retribution, when God " will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained," and will make an everlasting separation be- tween those who have received and retained "the spirit of Christ" and " whose names are in the Lamb's book of life," and those who have not been born of that spirit, and obtained the " wedding gar- ment," but have neglected to ask and receive it. They have thus 25 the tail le, ion )n, I an )e- IS " lightly esteemed the Rock of their Salvation ;" have " not obeyed the truth," but wilfully neglected the "great salvation." It is observable that it is not charged that they have proudly and presumptuously despised and rejected that salvation, but have merely neglected it, and therefore shall tiot escape. Such persons have no divine promises of protection from danger, or evil of any kind ; nor of support or comfort in seasons of trial or affliction, such as arc so abundantly given for the sustainmc.it and consola- tion of the regenerate and righteous, in all times of tribulation, perplexity, or suffering. But infinitely more dreadful and agonizing are the declared eter- nal doom and punishment of those wlio die without " the spirit of Christ," and coiisecjuently destitute of the " great salvation." Of all such it is scripturally declared that the wrath of (j!od abidctii on them, and they shall die in their sins," and iiiialiy be cast into hell. From these, and numerous other awful announcements of an nfinitely just and almigiity God, all the unconverted and ungodly may cl(!arly see, that although he lias been long-suHcring towartls them, in order that they may ropont and turn from tlicir evil ways, and seek and find his mercy, j'ot if tlu>y remain in their unrogone- rate and sinful condition, they will, as Scripture decdares, bo at last consigned to everlasting "weeping, and wailing, and gnasiiing of teeth," " Where the worm dieth nut, and the fire is not quenched." Here the solemn question arises, what is the course to be adopt- ed and pursued by the awakened neglocter of the great salvation, in order to avuid that threatened doom and punislnnent ? There is but one way to escape, and it is plainly pointed out and pr(\scrib(!d in the sacred oracles. No merely liiuuan devices and perl'ormances will avail for securing deliverance and sal'ety, lor those oracles de- clare that " It is the spirit that (piickeneth ;" and again, " You hath he quickened who wore dead in trespasses and sins." And of all those who have been regenerated, and made the "sons ofljod," it is said, that they " were born, not of blood, nor «.)f the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of (iod." Hut glory be unto God, that the operations of that gracious and almighty spirit have been purchased for the salvation of all, through the atoning suffer- ings and death of the Divine Redeemer, and therefore He is most I if ' n. sr '( ::i r 26 appropriately called the "spirit of Christ;" and is everywhere operating, according to this promise of the Saviour ; — " When He is come, lie will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment." All this He does, by enlightening the under- standing, and operating on the conscience, chiefly through the ap- plication of the inspired word, which is called " the sword of the spirit." All who are brought under the hearing of that word, are more or less frequently, and in various degrees, aroused and awakened under those divine operations. Thoy should, therefore, immediately and earnesthj yield deep attention to those divinely warning monitions, and seek by fervent prayer, to have that awakening increased ; and diligently and perseveringly follow all the Scriptural directions to penitent seekers of salvation, mentioned in former pages of this discourse, namely : — Constant supplications to the throne of grac(», — reading and meditating on the sacred Scriptures; — attending on their public ministrations, and other religious means and ordinances ; — and abandoning all sinful ways, associations and companions. They must also engage and perse- vere in the perlormance of nil divinely commanded duties, doing good in every mode, as occasion oflbrs ; while solely relying on the atoning suflerings and death of the Lord Jesus Christ, for pardon and acceptance, and grace for present and eternal salvation, confi- dently resting on the numerous divine promises, and believing that for His sake, every requisite support, consolation, and other bless- ing, will be appropriately and liberally bostowed. Steadfastly and zealously pursuing such a course,— plainly proscribed in Scripture, — they cannot possibly fail to secure all these inestimable gifts and mercies, for the Lord has declared ; — " Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your hearts;" — "Every one that asketh receiveth ; and he that seeketh findeth" ; — " I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more." Letevery seeking soul, then, be encouraged diligently to persevere in striving to secure the "durable riches and righteousness" of the "great salvation," ever remembering that " He is faithful who has promised." But unhappily there are some, and it may bo feared, even many, who say : — " H' I am to be saved, the Lord will call me at his own 2t the rdoii onfi- hat es8- and 0,— and find good and proper time, but I can do nothing' at all towards my sal- vation." All such thoughts and sayings are contrary to Scripture exhortations and commands, and daringly presumptuous. True, you cannot do anything meritoriously, to secure that great salva- tion, but you, and all others can comply with the divine requisi- tions, — "Ask and it shall be given you;" — "Cease to do evil, learn to do well." You can read and meditate on the sacred Scrip- tures, and attend diligently and attentively on their public minis- trations, and on other external means for obtaining wisdom and grace. There is the utmost encouragement to adopt such a course, for infallible and unchangeable wisdom has declared, — " Blessed is the man th it hcareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors." To all disobedient noglcctcrs of the great salvation the following, with many other similar warnings and exhortations, are expressly appHcabh! : — " Behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation ;" — " Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowost not what a day may bring forth ;" — "See that ye refuse not him that speakoth. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speakoth from heaven." Oh ! may all such negligent persona deeply regard tiicse awful words, awake to a view of their immi- nent danger, and without the least further delay, earnestly strive to avoid the impending wrath and punishment; and by persevering in fervent supplication, obtain " the Spirit of Christ," and thus secure those gifts and graces which will make for their present and everlasting peace, before they be forever hidden from their eyes. .(■■ n tny, )wn