" The weak is enabled to say, I am strong:" and he, who just before was in bondage to his lusts, now casts off the yoke, and " runs the way of God's commandments with an enlarged heart."]
3. It suggests motives sufficient to call forth our utmost exertions —
[The hope of heaven and the fear of hell are certainly very powerful motives ; yet, of themselves, they never operate with sufficient force to produce a willing and unreserved obe- dience. While the mind is wrought upon by merely selfish principles, it will always grudge the price which it pays for future happiness. But let the soul be warmed with the love of Christ, and it will no longer measure out obedience with a parsimonious hand : it will be anxious to display its gratitude by every effort within its reach. " The love of Christ will constrain it" to put forth all its powers; to " crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts," and to " perfect holiness in the fear of God."]
Infer —
1. How vain is it to expect salvation while we live in sin !
[If we could have been saved in our sins, can it be con- ceived that God would ever have sent his own Son into the world to deliver us from them ; or that, having sent his Son to accomplish this end, he would himself defeat it, by saving us in our iniquities ? Let careless sinners well consider this : and let the professors of religion too, especially those in whom sin of any kind lives and reigns, lay it to heart : for if sin be not " condemned in our flesh," our bodies, and souls too, shall be condemned for ever.]
2. How foolish is it to attack sin in our own strength !
[A bowl, with whatever force it be sent, and however long it may proceed in a right direction, will follow at last the inclination of its bias, and deviate from the line in which it was first impelled. Thus it will be with us under the influence of legal principles: we shall certainly decline from the path of duty, when our corrupt propensities begin to exert their force. Our resolutions can never hold out against them. We must have a new bias ; " a new heart must be given us, and a new spirit be put within us," if we would persevere unto the end. Let us not then expect to prevail by legal considerations, or legal endeavours. Let us indeed condemn sin in the purpose of our minds, and sentence it to death : but let us look to