Nathanael himself: but, in denouncing those whom he was now addressing as destitute of the love of God, he appealed to their obstinacy in rejecting him, notwithstanding the full evidence he had given them of his Messiahshipb. It is probable that this testimony of his gave great offence : yet is there occasion for it to be given respecting multitudes in the present day; and, no doubt, if he were here present, he still would be constrained to say of many, " I know you, that the love of God is not in you."
In confirmation of this, I will shew, I. That such characters do still exist —
[But where must we look for them? Can it be supposed that a single individual of this character is to be found in the midst of us? Go round to each individual in rotation, and ask each apart, " Have you the love of God in you?" Per- haps there is not one who would not reply, " Yes ; I hope and trust I have." Some, I can have no doubt, would be quite indignant at the question ; and would answer with dis- dain, " What! do you suppose I am a downright reprobate ?" In this respect there would be but little difference between the different classes of the community. The Moral would deem their morality a decisive proof of the point ; nor would the Immoral account their immoralities any proof to the. con- trary : they would find reasons enough for their deviations from the straight line of duty, without impeaching the integrity of their own hearts before God, and their attachment, on the whole, to him. The Old would conclude, of course, that they could not have attained to their age without having at least secured this first principle of all religion : and the Young would intimate, that, though they make no profession of religion, they are not so destitute of it as this question would imply. All would consider it as a libel upon the Christian Church to suppose that such a character should be found within its pale, unless perhaps amongst those, whose whole habits proclaim them to be addicted to every species of iniquity.
But it was to those who had been admitted into covenant with God by circumcision, and who were attending the ministry of our blessed Lord, that the words in my text were addressed: and therefore it is more than probable, that still, even amongst professing Christians, there are some who answer to this cha- racter; and of whom, one, who had a perfect knowledge of them, might say, " I know you, that the love of God is not in you."]
i> ver. 38, 40, 42.