subdue men to the obedience of faith, they were to use " no carnal weapons," but only such as should derive their efficacy from the grace of Christ'; agreeably to that prophetic decla- ration, " Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts "\" Accordingly it was in this way that they prevailed over all the power and poHcy of earth and hell : and in this way will Christ continue to extend his conquests, " till all his enemies be put under his feet."
In the same way also does God accomplish his purposes in the souls of men. It is " not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire, that God manifests himself to them, but in the still small voice"." The " seed sown in their hearts, groweth up, they know not how : " changes occur, which threaten to destroy it; but still it survives, and springs up, and brings forth fruit in its season. This operation is compared by our Lord to leaven, which continues to spread, till it has diffused itself through the whole mass. Thus does the grace of God silently, but progressively, renew the whole man, till we are changed into the very image of our God.]
From this subject we may learn,
1. What ought to be the character of our rehgion —
[Nothing is more common, and nothing more delusive, than a noisy, talkative religion. True religion is a humble, silent, retired thing, not affecting public notice, but rather wishing to approve itself to God°. It is " not in saying. Lord, Lord, but in doing the will of our heavenly Father," that we shall find acceptance in the last day. Happy would it be, if many, who place all their religion in running about, and hearing sermons, and talking of the qualifications of ministers, and disputing about religious opinions, would attend to this hint, and endea- vour to acquire more of that wisdom which evinces its divine origin by the excellence of its fruits p'.]
2. How we should judge of growth in grace —
[We would not undervalue the inward feelings of the heart : but, if not accompanied with more substantial evidences of piety, they are very deceitful. We should examine whether we are fitted for the duties of our respective stations. Of all the stones in the temple, there was not one which did not exactly suit its place : so will it be with us, if we have really been wrought vipon by the Spirit of God: whether we be parents or children, masters or servants, magistrates or sub- jects, true grace vnll lead us to discharge our own duties aright. This is properly to act as members of a body, all fitly framed
1 2 Cor. X. 4, 5. «i Zech. iv. 6. " 1 Kings xix. 1 1, 12.
° Ps. cxxxi. 2. with Jam. i. 26. p Jam. iii. 17.