2. By a particular address — [Let those, whose consciences testify that they have not the Spirit, stand convicted and condemned. The text speaks of all such without exception ; "if any man" &c. Let it be remembered that, however cultivated our minds may be with human literature, and however amiable our natural dispositions, we must have the Spirit of Christ, or we can be none of his. And what a dreadful state is this ! for if we be not Christ's, whose are we ? It must be said to us, as our Lord said to the Jews, " Ye are of your Father, the devil." And are any of us willing to be disclaimed by Jesus in the day of judgment? Would we that he should then say to us, " Ye are none of mine ? " If not, let us now seek his good Spirit, and live henceforth under his influence and direction.
But let those, who have reason to believe that they have the Spirit, rejoice. They are Christ's : they are his friends ; they are the very members of his body ; they are " his portion, the lot of his inheritance." O happy, happy souls, how highly privileged even now! and how unspeakably blessed in the future world ! Be not afraid then of the scoffs of an ungodly world ; let them curse, if God do but bless. Improve your present privileges : be careful lest by any means ye " grieve the Holy Spirit whereby ye are sealed :" look to him more and more to comfort and transform your souls ; and expect with patience that blessed period, when Christ shall acknowledge you before the assembled universe, and number you among his jewels in the day that he shall count them upb.]
b Mai. iii. 17.
xMDCCCLXIII.