whose lives are thus regulated by the Gospel of Christ*! They have indeed a paradise below ; and shall soon enjoy un- interrupted harmony in heaven".]
t Deut. xxxiii. 29. " 1 John i. 3. and iv. 16, 17.
Isai. xi. 9. The earth shall he full of the knoivledge of the Lord, as the tvaters cover the sea.
THE generality of mankind ascribe a far greater degree of moral influence to civilization, than the state of the heathen world in its most refined ages will justify. We are willing however to admit, that some good effects are to be traced to this cause. But to renew and sanctify the heart is far beyond its power : this is the province of religion, even of that religion which is revealed to us in the Gospel. The prophet has been describing in most beautiful lan- guage the change that shall one day be wrought on the face of the earth ; and he traces it to the propa- gation of the Gospel, and the extension of divine knowledge, as its true and only source ; " The wolf shall dwell with the lamb," &c. for " the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord."
In these words he shews us,
I. Wherein true religion consists —
It cannot be more justly or comprehensively de- scribed than in these words, " the knowledge of the Lord"—
[Many indeed, even of those who call themselves Chris- tians, suppose that religion is altogether comprehended in doing to others as we would be done unto. But, though it must be acknowledged that this is an important branch, yet it is far from being the whole, since it relates only to the duties of the second table, and leaves out all the duties which we owe to God. We must rather say, that the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus is the sum and substance of religion : because in this is contained that vital energy which puts forth itself in all the fruits of righteousness. It is in this light that tlie scriptures continu- ally represent it. The Prophet Isaiah says, " By his know- ledge shall my righteous servant justify many^." Jeremiah
a Isai. liii. 11.