2. To believe the Gospel —
[Repentance is necessary to prepare men for the kingdom; but it is faith which actually introduces them into it. The Gospel sets forth Christ, not merely as " a Prince, but as a Saviour also." It represents him as having borne our sins in his own body on the cross, and as having made thereby a full and perfect satisfaction to God for them. It assures us also of a complete reconciliation with him, the very moment that we embrace its glorious truths. On our believing its testimony, we begin to see the Lord Jesus in his true character : we no more account him a hard Master, but one whose service is perfect freedom. We then long to have our very thoughts subjected to his dominion, and our whole souls made obedient to his will. Thus we become enlisted under his banners, and
entitled to all the privileges of his subjects In short, by
repentance we cast down the weapons of our rebellion ; and by faith we devote ourselves to him as his peculiar people.]
This subject furnishes us with abundant matter,
1. Of inquiry —
[Should it not be an object of anxious inquiry with us all to ascertain whose subjects we are ? There are but two, who divide between them the dominion of the world : Satan is the god of this world, who has usurped a power over all mankind : but of these, Jehovah, the Creator of all things, has a few, whom he has rescued and redeemed from his tyrannic sway. If we belong to Christ, God has brought us " out of the king- dom of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." Inquire then whether such a change has taken place ? Inquire whether you have deeply repented of your past subjection to Satan, and whether with humble gratitude you have fled for refuge to the hope set before you in the Gos- pel ? Can you appeal to God that you have returned to him as a base rebel, acknowledging your desert of death, and imploring mercy solely in the name of Christ ? Can you appeal to him, that you do yet daily, and hourly as it were, give up yourselves to his service, desiring to live, and, if need be, to die, for him ? O consider the importance of these in- quiries, and the proneness of your hearts to self-deceit !
And pray to God to instruct you by his Holy Spirit, that you may know, before it is too late, whose you are, and whom you serve ]
2. Of humiliation —
[Be it granted, that we are the Lord's : still what cause for shame have the very best amongst us, when we think how little love we bear to our heavenly King, and how little zeal