Jam. iii. 17. The wisdom that is from above, is first pitre, then peaceable^ gentle, and easy to he intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and ivithout hypocrisy.
RELIGION, like a tree, must be judged of by its fruits —
That which savours of pride, earthliness, or sen- suality, is not of God —
Its character is justly drawn in the words before us — It is,
I. Holy in its nature —
Religion, above all other things, is entitled to the name of '* wisdom" —
[It enlightens the mind, informs the judgment, regiilates the life—
And he who lives under its influence, is wise in the estima- tion of God himself — ]
Being from above, it resembles its Divine Author —
[Religion is a beam issuing from God the fountain of light—
And, as " in him is no darkness at all," so neither is there any thing impure in that which flows from him —
It may be mixed with sin, but in its own nature it is "pure"—
And, in proportion as it prevails, it will dissipate the clouds of ignorance and sin —
All " spiritaial of fleshly filthiiiess" will surely vanish be- fore it* — 1
-" .» • * .
In consequence of this it is, *'^*'^ 't^- au
II. Useful in its tendency — It renders us, 1 . Amiable in our spirit —
[Though ' Matt. V. 8. Acts xv. p. 2 Cor. vii. 1. VOL. XI. F
[Though men differ widely in their natural tempers, yet the unregenerate are, on many occasions, quarrelsome, fierce, implacable —
But as soon as ever religion exerts its influence on our minds, we mortify these unhallowed tempers, and become " peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated " —
From thenceforth it is the delight of our souls to cultivate and promote peace, to maintain in ourselves a meek and quiet spirit, and to exercise, as occasion may require, forbearance and forgiveness to all around us — 1
1. Benevolent in our conduct —
[Compassion and diligence are inseparable attributes of true religion —
The real Christian is not, like the barren fig-tree, covered with the leaves of an outward profession, but destitute of fruit —
He labours to aboimd in every good word and work, and to benefit to the utmost the bodies and souls of his fellow- creatures —
His heart is " full" of love, and out of the abundance of his heart he both speaks and acts — ]
It is within us a living principle, that is,
in. Uniform in its operations — It extends,
1 . To duties without limitation —
[The grace of God will not admit of " partiality" in our obedience —
It will stimulate us to difficult and self-denying duties, as well as to those which are more easy and pleasant'' —
And will make us as solicitous to do what is right towards strangers or enemies, as towards our own friends or par- tizans '' — ]
2. To desires without reserve —
[Religion penetrates to the inmost soul, and regulates all our motives and principles of action —
The person whose outuard conduct only is good, is in God's sight no other than a " whited sepulchre " —
The man whose heart is right with God, will watch against all selfish ends, and endeavour to act with a single eye to the glory of his God — ]
Infer,
1. How unjustly is religion condemned in the world !
[Many
••1 Tim. v. 21.