and hating one another," by regeneration their evil dispositions are mortified, and a spirit of humility and love becomes the governing principle of their souls. This change is universal : it is the leading feature by which every child of God is known. The want of it, whatever else we may possess, infallibly proves us children of the wicked one. " Though we should know all the mysteries of our holy religion, and have a faith that can remove mountains, and give all our goods to feed the poor, and even give our bodies to be burnt for Christ, if we had not the principle of love in our hearts, we should be only as sounding- brass and tinkling cymbals."]
2. They would find in Christ whatever was suited to conciliate their regard —
[This our Lord particularly specifies. He had " pro- ceeded and come forth from God," in a way in which no crea- ture ever hada. He was the Messenger of the Lord of Hosts : he had not come of his own mind, like the false prophets, but was sent from God; as his credentials abundantly testified. Nor was he doing his own will, but the will of Him that sent him : nor did he seek his own glory, but the glory of Him that sent him. Seeing then that he was the Father's Messenger to them ; that he was come not only to reveal the way of sal- vation to them, but to obtain salvation for them, by bearing their sins in his own body on the tree ; seeing that in the pro- secution of this work he had displayed such unerring wisdom, such indefatigable diligence, such invincible patience, such almighty power, and such unbounded love; could they do otherwise than love him, if they were children of God? Could they be blind to so much excellence, and insensible of so much kindness, if God were their Father? Impossible. It could not be that God should leave his own children so much under the power of the devil, as to reject the mercy he had prepared for them, and destroy the Messenger whom he had sent to redeem them.]
That we may see more clearly the suitableness of this test, we will,
II. Compare it with other tests which men devise for themselves —
Every man has some ground on which he builds his hopes, and some test whereby he tries his title to heaven. This test varies according to the attainments
a The terms here used, being never used in reference to any other person, are supposed to denote his eternal generation. But though there is ground for the remark, we would not lay much stress upon it.