A Brighter Day Begins with His Word.

Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 • SECTION 437

2012.] The Excellency Of The Gospel. 481

← Horae Homileticae — Volume 16 of 21

the whole revelation of God, whether Law or Gospel, when rightly viewed, appear to be, as it is beautifully designated by St. James, " a perfect law of liberty'^;" and thus it is found to be, by all who embrace it " in spirit and in truth."]

In CONCLUSION, let me urge you,

1. To enter with all diligence into the true spirit of the Scriptures —

[They are in themselves " a sealed book :" nor can any but the adorable Lamb of God open them to our view. But beg of him to take away the veil from them ; and from your hearts also, when you read them'. Then will there be found a glory in them, even all the glory of God shining in the face of Jesus Christ. Be not contented with any thing short of this : for this alone will produce those glorious effects which are here ascribed to it'^.]

2. To make a right use of the liberty which they impart to you —

[There are some who profess godliness, and yet would " promise you liberty, whilst they themselves are servants of corruption^" But it is not a liberty in sin that Jesus gives; but a liberty from sin™. St. Paul carefully guards us on this head ; saying, " Ye, brethren, have been called unto liberty : only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh"." Your liberty is, to " run the way of God's commandments with an enlarged heart"." " Stand fast, therefore, in that liberty where- with Christ hath made you free ; and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage p." Use, I say, your liberty aright for a little while ; and soon you shall be as free and happy as the very angels of God around his throne.]

^ Jam. i. 2.5. i ver. 14. ^ ver. 18.

1 2 Pet. ii. 19. « Matt. i. 21. " Gal. v. 13.

0 Ps. cxix. 22. P Gal. v. 1.

Public domain historical edition (1833); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.

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