actions will doubtless be holy, and just, and good, and extremely different from those of the ungodly world, yet Pharisees and formalists may " cleanse the outside of the cup and platter," and be as punctual and correct in all external duties as any persons whatever.
The true Israelite is known by no external badge, but by " the circumcision of the heart" only''. He is of a clean heart : he is clean,
1 . From idolatrous regards —
[The very best of ungodly men has some idol in his heart which usurps the throne of God. Pleasure, riches, and honour are the common objects of men's regards : but some, who seem indifferent to these things, are no less in subjection to a carnal love of ease, wherein their happiness principally consists. But the true Christian has taken the Lord for his God ; and has de- termined, through grace, that no rival shall ever be harboured in his bosom. He apiakes his adorable Saviour the one object of all his trust, his love, and his obedience^.]
2. From allowed lusts —
[None but those who have embraced the promises of the Gospel have been able to " cleanse themselves from all fleshly and spiritual filthiness :" but " all who are really Christ's, have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." We say not, that Christians have no lusts remaining in them ; (for a man that is crucified may still continue to live a considerable time ; and the lusts that are crucified may still live and act:) but their lusts shall never regain the liberty which they once had : the death of their corruptions is irreversibly decreed ; and their strength is gradually weakening ; and in due time they shall utterly expire. In all other persons, sin of some kind has dominion; but over the Christian " it shall not j because he is not under the law, but under grace."]
3. From sinister and selfish-tmotives —
[All, even the most refined hypociites^ are under the influ- ence of self-seeking and self-complacency. Bot the true Chris- tian endeavours to consult the glory of his God. Hcvis as jealous of his motives, as of his actions. He knows that ^e//" is but too a})t to mix with what we do ; and therefore he labours to coun- teract its irifluence, and to do his most common actions to the glory of his God. To please God, to serve God, to honour God, these are the ends which he proposes to himself; nor is he ever satisfied with any one action which has not these objects as their
true
*' Roni. ii. 2S, 2g. = Ps. kxiii. 25.
-^4 ^^AhUS, LXXIII. 1. [886.
tfue and ultimate scope. He that is " an Israelite indeed, is an Jsraelite withgut guile''."]
J^je^t us now proceed to contemplate,
JI. The character of Israel's God —
" God is good to all, and his tender mercy is over all his works :" but he is more especially good to Israel : for,
1 . He is reconciled to them —
[They once were under his displeasure, even as others : but he has given them repentance unto life ; he has accepted them in and through his beloved i?on ; he has blotted out all their trans- gressions as a morning cloud ; and " he has given them a name better than of sons and of daughters." These are peculiar mercies not vouchsafed to others, whatever be their profession, qr whatever their character.]
2. He admits them to most fkmiliar communion with himself —
[Others may have prayed in some j)eculiar extremity, and may have obtained deliverance from their distress ; but " they will not always call upon God:" prayer is not their delight; nor have they any freedom of access to God in it. But '' the true Israel" are " a people nigh unto God." It is their delight to draw nigh to God at all times, to make known to him their requests on all occasions, and to walk continually in the light of his countenance. He, on the other hand, like a tender parent, condescends to hear and answer their petitions, and reveals him- self to them as he does not unto the world. Thus, while others perform prayer as a mere service which they would think it cri- minal to neglect, they account it their highest privilege to say, " Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ."]