pearance betray an indifiference towards them. But I would ask, Does any advocate for the merit of good works ever propose to himself so high a standard as that in my text? and, if any one inculcate the necessity of walking to the very uttermost as Christ walked, do they not account him " righte- ous over-much ?" Yes assuredly, they always have a lower standard than that which is proposed to them in the Gospel. On the other hand, they who exalt the Lord Jesus Christ, and live by faith on him, will admit of no rule of conduct which does not embrace the whole law, and lead to a perfect conformity to the Lord Jesus Christ. And hence it is, that the followers of Christ are as much condemned for their un-^ necessary zeal and strictness, as for the supposed licentiousness of their principles. Here then the point is brought to the very test, which the advocates of human merit profess to ap- prove. Let the two opposite systems be tried by this touch- stone ; ' Which requires of its votaries the sublimer and more enlarged morality?' and we consent, that this issue, fairly tried, shall determine the point for ever. They who live in any measure of self-righteousness and self-sufficiency, will walk as the world walketh ; but they who abide in Christ as their only hope, will with all their might endeavoiu' to walk as Clurist walked.]
2. Of directing the energies of those who have embraced the Gospel —
[Be not faint or weary in well-doing: but set the Lord[ ever before you, and endeavour to resemble him in the whol6 ** spirit of his mind" and the whole course of his conduct. Of course, what he spake as the Great Prophet of the Church, or did as the Redeemer of the world, was peculiar to him- self, and can be no pattern for us : but in all that he either spake or did as man, we are to follow him without reserve. If we propose to ourselves any lower standard, or except any one of God's commandments from our rule or duty, we are not Christ's disciples. See what is said in our text, " He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked:" and again in the following chapter: " Whosoever abideth in him, sinneth not. Whosoever sin- neth, hath not seen him, neither known him\" Here then you see what all your profession of faith will amount to, if it do not approve itself by its fruits : it will be a self-delusion, and a lie altogether. Come then. Beloved, and address your- selves to your high and heavenly work. Ye see your calling: Oh ! strive to " walk worthy of it," yea, " worthy of the Lord," whose you are, and whom you profess to serve. Thus will you vindicate the Gospel from the charges which ignorant
and
^ 1 John iii. 6. See also 1 John ii, 4. VOL. XI, a
226 1 JOHx, II. Si [1180.
and ungodly men bring against it; and will prove to all around you that it is indeed " the wisdom of God, and the power of God unto salvation."]