his own," and that consequently he " ought not to live unto himself, but unto him that died for him." He feels that, if in any thing he consult merely his own honour or interest, he so far withholds from God the honour due unto his name; and therefore he labours to comply with that divine injunction, " Whether ye eat or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of Godn."]
Thus is the Christian transformed, not in respect of his life only, but in the spirit of his mind ; and therefore can declare from experience,
III. What effects this progressive renovation will produce — There are many objections raised by the world against the sanctity that has been before described ; and there is much opposition to it in the heart of every unrenewed person : but the experience of it will most effectually discover it to be,
1. Good in itself —
[Piety is too generally considered as needless preciseness: nor need we have any thing more than a separation from the world, and a transformation of soul after the Divine image, in order to become objects of reproach and contempt. Even the more sober and discreet part of mankind regard the precepts before us as " hard sayings," unsuitable to modern times, and unfit for general practice. But as our Lord said of his doctrines, that whosoever would do his will, should know whether they were of God0, so we may say of his precepts. While we are blinded by carnal desires, the commands of God will appear rigorous ; and we shall labour more to explain them away, than to obey them : but if once we adopt them as the rule of our conduct, their beauty and excellence will manifestly appear ; and we shall be convinced that, to obey them is, to be truly happy p.]
2. Acceptaole to God —
[While religion is accounted superstition, it is no wonder that the sublimer duties of Christianity are declined as un- necessary, and that they who practise them are deemed " righteous over-much." But a renovation of soul will soon dispel this error, and shew us that, the more entire our devoted- ness to God be, the more highly shall we be raised in God's esteem. If only we make the word of God the standard of our actions, we cannot possibly be too earnest in improving the
11 1 Cor. x. 31. ° John vii. 17- p Isai. xxxii. 17.