them. In fact, the commission of every sin very much resem- bles this of which we are speaking. God has allowed us every species of gratification, if we will take it in the way and manner prescribed by him : but we say, ' No ; I will have it in my own way ; I will not be content with the flesh, but I will have the blood. I will not indeed drink it in bowls ; but I will reserve a little of it to improve the flavour of my food.' What should we think of a Jew that would deliberately pro- voke God to anger, and bring ruin on his own soul, for such a gratification as this ? Yet such is the conduct of every sinner; and such are the gratifications for which he sells his soul. O remember, that, if we could gain the whole world at the expence of our own souls, we should make a sad exchange. Be careful therefore not only not to violate any command of God, but not to lower in any one particular the standard of his law: for, " if in one thing only you deliberately and allowedly offend, you are guilty of allp," and infallibly subject yourselves to his everlasting displeasure.]
2. Above all things, think not light of the blood of Christ —
[The means used to beget a reverence for the blood which only shadoweth it forth, may clearly shew us what reverential thoughts we ought to entertain of the atoning blood of Christ. In that is all our hope : "by that alone we have redemption, even the forgiveness of sins : through that the vilest sinner in the universe may obtain mercy ; for it is able to " cleanse us from all sin." It is oithat the hosts of heaven are making men- tion continually before the throne of God : their anthems are addressed " to Him who loved them, and washed them from their sins in his oivn blood." Of that then should we also sing ; and in that should we glory. But if we be disposed to disregard it, let us contemplate the fate of him who disregarded the typical injunction ; " God declared, that he would set his face against him and cut him off." The proper reflection to be made on that, is suggested to us by God himself: " If he that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses, of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and counted the blood of the covenant an unholy thing q?" It was terrible to " die without mercy ;" but there is a " much sorer punishment" than that : there is a " second death," which they shall suffer, who trample on the blood of Christ. The Lord grant that we may never turn the means of happiness into an occasion of so great a calamity ! Let us rather take the cup of salvation into our hands, and drink it with the live- liest emotions of gratitude and joy.]
P Jam. ii. 10. q Heb. x. 29.