Lastly, Let us make manifest the ivisdom of our de- termination by the holiness of our lives.
The doctrine of Christ crucified ever did, and ever will appear ^^foolishness" in the eyes of ungodly men ; so that, if it be preached by an Apostle him- self, he shall be accounted by them a babbler and deceiver. But there is one way of displaying its excellency open to us, a way in which we may effec- tually " put to silence the ignorance of foolish men ;" namely, '' by well-doing ;" that is, by shewing the sanctifying and transforming efficacy of this doctrine. St. Paul tells us, that " by the cross of Christ the world was crucified unto him, and he unto the world* :" and such is the effect that it should produce on us : we should shew that we are men of another world, and men too of " a more excellent spirit :" we should shew the fruits of our faith in every relation of life : and, in so doing, we may hope to " win by our good conversation" many, who would never have submitted to the preached word.
But we must never forget where our strength is, or on whose aid we must entirely rely. The Prophet Isaiah reminds us of this ; " Surely shall one say. In the Lord have I righteousness and strength :" and our Lord himself plainly tells us, that " without him we can do nothing." Since then " we have no suf- ficiency in ourselves to help ourselves," and God has " laid help for us upon One that is mighty," let us " live by faith on the Son of God," " receiving daily out of his fulness that grace" that shall be " sufficient for us." Let us bear in mind, that this is a very principal part of the knowledge of Christ crucified : for, as " all our fresh springs are in Christ," so must we look continually to him for " the supplies of his Spirit," and " have him for our wisdom, our right- eousness, our sanctification, and redemption."
* Gal. vi. 14.