Others may say, " It was my misfortune rather than my- fault that I did not know and beheve the love of God in Christ Jesus ; for I never had it faithfully declared unto me.'* But to you there has been no want of instruction to enlighten, no want of evidence to convince, you : so that your ignorance and unbelief involve you in the deepest guilt*. O continue not in such a state as this ! but pray that " the Spirit of wisdom and revelation may be given to you, and that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened V that "you perish not for lack of knowledge."]
2. Those who can adopt the language of our text — [If you can with truth declare that you have known and believed the love of God, then we must say to you, " Blessed are ye ; for flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto you ;" but " God hath shined into your hearts to give it unto you." Be thankful for this distinguishing mercy : and seek to *' grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." St. Paul, after preaching the Gospel twenty years, " accounted not himself yet awhile to have attained," but still desired to " know Christ in the power of his resurrection, and in the fellowship of his sufferings." Do ye then press forward, and emulate the angels who are incessantly " desiring to look into these things." Make not the love of God a matter for speculation, but for admiration and praise. It is that which will be the subject of your songs in the eternal world ; let it therefore now inflame your souls with gratitude, and animate you to unremitting diligence in the service of your God. Strive to exercise love to him, seeing that he has shewn such love to you.]
' Hos. iv. 6. 2 Cor. iv. 4. Heb. ii.3. ^ Eph. i. 16—18.