But the Gospel produces in them a most blessed
change —
[This establishes a King in Israel : it represents the Lord Jesus Christ as the Redeemer and the Lord of all ; and erects
Ills throne in the hearts of men —The Gospel rectijies
the views also, of all that receive it. His law, and not our own vain conceits, becomes now the rule of judgment : the smallest deviation from that, whether by excess or defect, is regarded as evil, and nothing is approved any further than
it agrees with that perfect standard We may also
add, It regulates the conduct. Those who receive the Gospel aright, instantly give themselves up to the Lord Jesus Christ, accounting his service to be perfect freedom, and desiring to live no longer to themselves, but "unto Him that died for
them and rose again." Of course, we must not be
understood to say that these effects are produced equally in all, or in any to their full extent. Men are still corrupt creatures, even the best of men; and consequently they will, like brands out of a fire, still bear the mark of the fire, though the flame be extinguished : but still they differ as widely from the uncon- verted world, as those who live under a well-regulated govern- ment do from the most licentious savages : they are thankful for the restraints under which they Kve ; and are ready to die in defence of that King whom they venerate, and that law which they account it their highest privilege to obey. In ci^dlized society, men are happy in being secured from external violence ; but, under the Gospel, they are happy in being secured from the assaults of Satan, and from the corruptions of their own hearts.]
From this subject we would take occasion to recom- mend,
L A self-diffident spirit —
[By nothing are the delusions of men more strengthened than by a confidence in their own wisdom and judgment. No reasons will weigh in opposition to the conceits of self- opinionated men ; nor will an appeal to the Scriptures them- selves be allowed to be of any force. Hence men perish in their errors, till it becomes too late to rectify them. How happy would it be if men would distrust their own judgment; and if, when they see how thousands of their neighbours err, they would admit the possibility of error in themselves ! God has given us an unerring standard of truth : to that let us refer all our pre-conceived opinions ; and remember, that, " if we walk not according to that rule, there is no light in us."]
2. A cautious judgment —