some one point, such as the mortification of the flesh, or alms- giving, or penances of man's invention. Even those who are more enhghtened, are apt to regard only one particular set of graces that are more congenial with their own feelings, and to neglect those which are of an opposite aspect ; one despising every thing in comparison of zeal and confidence ; another leaning altogether to the side of prudence and timidity. But the man into whose hidden part God has put true wisdom, views holiness, not with prismatic partiality, separating one grace from another, but all embodied, as light in the sun ; every grace tempering its opposite, and all combining to the production of perfect beauty. He discards neither the vivid nor the darker ray: but, having all in united exercise, sorrow with joy, and fear with confidence, " the beauty of the Lord his God is upon him^," and he shines in the Divine image in righteousness and true holiness^.]
From this subject we may learn,
1. Whence it is that men get so little insight into the Gospel —
[Many hear the Gospel during their whole lives, and never attain any just knowledge of it. How shall we account for this ? We suppose the Gospel to be preached with all possible fidelity, and yet it seems never to convey any light to their minds. The reason is, that they never take any pains to apply it to their own souls, or to get any one truth realized in their own experience. They assent to every thing they hear; but they are content with being hearers, without ever once attempting to become doers of the word they hear. They " see perhaps their face, as in a glass, for the moment; but they go away, and forget what manner of men they are^." But our blessed Lord has told us, that we must aim at doing his will, in order to get any just insight into what he has revealed'': and, as this desire is altogether wanting in the persons we are speaking of, they never derive any solid benefit from the Gospel. O Brethren ! you must " be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own souls." You must apply the word to your own hearts : when you hear your sins pointed out, you must endeavour to humble your- selves for them in dust and ashes : when you hear of Christ as the one only Saviour of a ruined world, you must endeavour to flee to him for refuge : when the Holy Ghost is set forth as the one great source of all spiritual life and motion, you must cry to God the Father for his dear Son's sake to send the Holy Spirit into your hearts, that the whole work of grace may be wrought within you. It is your neglect of thus harrowing in
y Ps. xc. 17. == 2 Cor, iii. 18.
^ Jam, i. 22—25, ^ John vii. 17.