In all this there appears to be nothing very remark- able. But before we affirm that, let us consider,
II. In what light this service of his is often viewed — [Where these sentiments are held in a merely specula- tive manner, they give no offence : they are even approved as orthodox: but where they are practically maintained and enforced, they are vilified as " heresy," and loaded with every opprobrious name. It is in vain that we appeal " to the law and the prophets ;" it is in vain that we shew to men that these are the things " which they themselves allow ;" in vain we refer them to the articles and homilies, which con- tain the acknowledged sentiments of our Church ; or to the prayers which every member of our Church offers up to God : nothing can convince men that we are not heretics or fanatics. Practical Christians are still " a sect everywhere spoken against V
Now what is the reason of this ? Whence is it that the same truths which are approved in theory, should be disap-
a Acts xxvi. 22, 23. b Acts xxviii. 22.
proved when reduced to practice ? The reason is, that whilst held in theory only, they leave us in full possession of all our evil habits and propensities ; but when applied to practice, they produce a course of life directly opposite to the desires of the flesh, and the customs of the world. Suppose, for instance, a man's faith be such as enables him to realize all that the Scriptures have spoken ; to tremble at every threatening, and to expect the accomplishment of every promise ; suppose it lead him to " live entirely by faith on the Son of God," as " all his salvation and all his desire :" what a difference will this of necessity put between him and others ! Suppose his hope also be such as disposes him to live in daily preparation for his last account, and in a blessed anticipation of the glory that awaits him ; will not this make him appear strange and sin- gular ? and will not those who feel condemned by his heavenly life, reflect on him, rather than on themselves ? Doubtless they will : they did so in the days of Christ and his Apostles ; who neither said, nor did, more than the Scriptures required : but the people hated the light, and would not come to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved ; and agreed to brand that as heresy, which they could not prevail upon themselves to embrace and practise. And thus it will be to the end of time : men will let you think as you please, if only you will conform to their habits : but if you will take the Scriptures as the only rule of your faith and practice, you shall be hated and reviled for it as long as there is an ungodly man upon earth : " He that is born after the flesh, will, and cannot but, hate and persecute him that is born after the Spirit :" " The servant cannot be above his Lord."]
What then is to be done? Are we to lay aside this service ? if not, let us inquire, III. In what manner it is to be maintained —
This whole apology affords us a very bright ex- ample. We are not to sacrifice truth and virtue to a senseless or malignant clamour ; but to maintain our principles,
1. With firmness of mind —
[We are to " prove all things ; and then to hold fast that which is good0." We cannot be too careful in examining every principle which is inculcated as of Divine authority. We should never give our assent to any doctrine whatever upon the testimony of man; but should search the Scriptures for ourselves, to see whether the things we hear be agreeable to them or not. But, when once we are satisfied that any
c 1 Thess. v. 21.