falls short of it, he groans inwardly, and says with the Apostle, " O wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me from this body of sin and death ?"
Behold, then, the Christian's character as here delineated. To a superficial observer he may not appear to differ much from others ; but to those who have had opportunities of discovering the real desires of his soul, he is a perfect contrast with the whole ungodly world. The very best of nominal Chris- tians are content with low attainments, and plead for indulgences in those things which are agreeable to their corrupt nature. The more sublime and spiritual precepts they soften down to the standard of their own practice ; and rather applaud themselves for their excellencies, than lothe themselves for their defects. The true Christian, on the contrary, will admit of no standard but that of absolute perfection : and, whereinsoever he falls short of it, as he does in his very best services, he lothes and " abhors him- self in dust and ashes ;" nor has he any hope of ac- ceptance with God, but in the view of that atonement which was once offered for him on the cross, and of that blood which the Lord Jesus Christ once shed on Calvary to cleanse him from his sins. We mean not to say, that these defects are subversive of all the Christian's peace ; for, if that were the case, who could possess any peace at all ? The Christian, not- withstanding his imperfections, has " comfort in the testimony of a good conscience," and in an assurance, that his God will " not be extreme to mark what is done amiss ;" but he does not on this account allow himself in any sin whatever. The use he makes of his own corruptions is, to cleave the more steadfastly to Christ as his only hope, and to watch and pray the more diligently, that he may be preserved from evil, and be enabled by Divine grace to endure unto the end.
Now this description of the Christian's character leads me to shew,
II. The light it reflects on the Gospel of Christ —