[To some " the word comes, not in word only, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:" and to them it is a source of life. It conveys to them a new and vital principle, whereby they are enabled to live unto their God : or, as the Scripture expresses it, " they, by means of it, are made par- takers of a divine nature," and " have all things given them that pertain unto life and godliness." They now, from their own experience, know the meaning of that declaration of our Lord, " I am the resurrection and the life : he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live ; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die p." Their whole conduct now evinces the change that has been wrought in them. Being quickened from the dead, they henceforth " live no more unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them, and rose again." And now they can look forward to the eternal state with sweet assured confidence, that, " because their Saviour lives, they shall live also;" and that " when He, who is their life, shall appear, they also shall appear with him in glory."]
Learn, then, from hence,
1. What the hearers of the Gospel should more especially guard against —
[Of those who hear the Gospel, many think, that if they receive the truths of Christianity into their minds, so as to be orthodox in their sentiments, they have no need of any thing further to make them partakers of its benefits. But God for- bid that any of you, brethren, should be left under any such delusion. You must not be satisfied with hearing the truth, but must consider " how you hear it ;" whether you give merely a speculative assent to it; or whether you receive it into your hearts, as the ground of all your hopes, and as the well-spring of all your joys. Dearly beloved, it is for this end that, as " a minister of the new testament," I would impress on your minds the truths which I declare. And, if at any time I manifest a jealousy over you in relation to these matters, know, that, it is not an uncharitable, but " a godly, jealousy;" which I am bound to exercise over you for your good. I am bound to " stand in doubt of you, till I can see Christ formed in your hearts," the hope of glory. Concur then with me in this important work. Bear in mind that you are in danger, even from the Gospel itself; in danger of deceiving your own souls by means of it; and of causing " that which is ordained to life, to be found at last unto death." You may possibly delight in the ministry of the word, like
V John xi. 25, 2(i.