easily tolerated, if an outward form would suffice ; but the spirituality and devotion necessary to an acceptable perform- ance of this duty, causes the carnal heart to revolt from it as irksome. If the saints too would countenance the world in its sinful practices, the offence of the cross would cease : but they "make their light to shine before men ;" and on this account they, whose deeds are evil, hate, revile, and persecute them. Now this clearly proves, that holiness itself is their aversion, and consequently that the image of God, which principally consists in holiness, is hateful to them. Will any say, It is hypocrisy that they hate, and not holiness? Wherefore then were Christ and his Apostles so universally the objects of cruel persecution ? Was there any guile in him ? Was he not " the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his person?" and walked not his Disciples in his steps? It is certain, not only that the image of God is hated by the enemies of Christ, but that every thing that bears his image is hated by them on that very account, and in proportion as it exhibits a resemblance of him.]
3. His very existence —
[It is vain indeed to entertain the thought that God could be annihilated: but, if we could suppose for a moment that it were declared from heaven, " There is no God;" would not the tidings excite a general satisfaction ? Would not all the haters of Christ congratulate themselves that there was no God to call them to an account, none to punish them for their iniquities ? Would they not look forward to an un- restrained indulgence of their lusts with pleasure, instead of weeping for the loss of their best and dearest Friend ? Yes ; as the enemies of Christ exulted in his crucifixion, so would all who hate him rejoice, if the Father also were utterly extinct. That this is no fanciful idea will appear from the declaration of God himself, " The fool hath said in his heart, No Godk!"]
Infer —
1. How desperate is the wickedness of the human heart !
[Wherefore is it that men are so full of enmity against Christ and his Father ? Is it for having given us his dear Son that they hate the Father ; or do they hate Christ for laying down his life for us ? Many good things has he done ; for which of them do we reject him ? O let " the haters of God," as the Apostle calls all of us in our unconverted state1, blush and be confounded ; let them abhor themselves for all their
* Ps. xiv. 1. ' Rom. i. 30.