On the other hand, is it not found, that the followers of Christ have the " eyes of their understanding enlightened ;" and that " the things which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive, are revealed unto them by the Spirit*^?" Yes, it is as true at this day, as it was in the hour when our Lord himself declared it, that " God hath hid these things from the wise and prudent, and has revealed them unto babes ; even so, because it seemeth good in his sight '^." He can have very little knowledge of the Christian world who is not acquainted with innumerable in- stances, wherein this assertion of our Lord is verified.]
2. Of Strength? [What lust have the votaries of the world been ever able to subdue ? All, it is true, are not equally enslaved ; but all are slaves to sin and Satan, though they do not all serve him in precisely the same way : as children of disobedience, they are under him as their god^; nor do any "recover themselves out of his toils, till Jehovah gives them repentance to the
acknowledgment of the truth ^" Indeed the people of
the world themselves confess this ; for, when urged to walk according to the commandments of God, they do not hesitate to
^ 1 Cor. ii. 14. = 1 Cor. ii. 9, 10. ^ Matt. xi. 25, 2G.
^ Eph. ii. 2. f 2 Tim. ii. 26.
vindicate their disobedience by saying, that the obedience required of them is impracticable.
But does not our blessed Lord and Saviour communicate strength to his folio vs^ers, so that they are enabled to " over- come the world," to "mortify the flesh," and to " bruise even Satan himself under their feet ?" Yes, there is armour pro- vided for them, through the proper use of which they are made victorious over all their enemies ; " nor does any sin retain its
dominion over them" They do indeed often cry, " O
wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me from this body of sin and death ? " but they may always add, " I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord."]
3. Of peace ?
[The voice of inspiration has plainly told us, that "there is no peace to the wicked." Their consciences indeed are often stupified, and even " seared as with a hot iron," so that they are altogether insensible of their state: and this insensibility is often mistaken for peace : but the votaries of this world are strangers to that delightful feeling which results from a sense of acceptance with God, and an assured hope of dwelling with
him for ever —
But the follower of Christ has " a peace that passeth all understanding." " Being justified by faith, he has peace with God," together with a "joy unspeakable and glorified." This peace he has even when all his guilt is most present to his mind, and when death and judgment appear close at hand ; because " he knows in whom he has believed," and is assured, that " there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." Hence he determinately obeys that injunction, " Thou shalt know no God but me : for there is no Saviour besides me^."]
Such are, in some little measure, the grounds on which we may decide between God and the world. We beg leave then to put to this whole assembly the following Questions ; — 1. What is your judgment ?
[Which has the better title to your love and service, — the world, or God ? If " God be a wilderness to Israel," or, if the world can do more for you than He, then we are content that the world shall be your god, and that Jehovah shall hold an inferior place in your esteem : but if God is a fountain of living waters, and the whole creation be only as broken cisterns, then we call upon you to acknowledge " God as your God for ever and ever " ]