they bring forth in rich abundance " the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of God." A diversity of seasons they doubtless experience: but never is their profession tarnished by open visible decays, or by a want of such fruits as the peculiar season calls for. On the contrary, the winds and storms, and heats and cold, all tend to further their stability and fruitfuln9S3 ; insomuch that " whatsoever they do," or whatsoever is done to them, " they prosper*." See them in the diversified seasons of prosperity and adversity, they shew by their conduct '' whose they are," even Christ's, " of whose ful- ness they continually receive," and " of whom all their fruit is found."]
In perfect contrast with this is, II. The description of the ungodly —
Exceedingly pointed is that expression, " The UNGODLY ARE NOT SO." No indeed : they " are not so,"
1 . In their character —
[The ungodly, instead of shunning the company of those who. fear not God, prefer it ; and would far rather associate with an avowed infidel, or a notorious libertine, than with one who was distinguished for the most exalted piety. They do not all pro- ceed to the same extent of open profaneness ; but all without exception " love darkness rather than light;" yea, " they hate the light, and will not come to it, lest their deeds should be reproved."
And as they prefer the society of them that know not Godj so they prefer any other book, whether of science or amusement, before the Sacred Volume. They may study the holy Scriptures indeed with a view to head -knowledge ; but not with any desire to im- bibe the spirit of them in their hearts, or to have their lives con- formed to them. In this there is an extremely broad line of distinction between the two characters : to the godly the Scrip- tures are " sweeter than honey, or the honeycomb ;" but to the ungodly they are insipid, and are either not perused at all, or studied only for the purpose of exercising a critical acumen. There is nothing in the Sacred Volume that is suited to their- taste : the wonders of Redemption do not affect their minds ; nor are the precepts of the Gospel palatable to their souls. .
Would we but candidly examine ourselves by these two marks, we should soon discover to which of these parties we belong.]
2. In their condition '^^ —
[To such a tree as has been been before described, the
ungodly
* Rom. viii. 28.
^"^ Nor in the -" blessedness" of the saints have they any part or lot.