himself, he would behold it without sorrow and practise it without remorse. But very different are his views of it when once his eyes are opened to behold it in its true colours : it then appears to him as base, loathsome, abominable : he hates it from his inmost soul : he desires deliverance from it as much as from hell itself: he would not harbour it in his heart for one moment, but would extirpate it utterly, as well from his thoughts as from his actions. Nor are his sentiments less altered respecting Christ : he once felt no love towards him, notwithstanding he complimented him with the name of Saviour. But now the name of Jesus is precious to him : he is filled with admiring thoughts of his incomprehensible love : he adores him with devoutest affection ; and " cleaves to him with full purpose of heart." He once " saw no beauty nor comeliness in him ;" but now views him as " fairer than ten thousand, and altogether lovely." The same change takes place with respect to the world, and holiness, and every thing that has any relation to eternity : so that he really becomes altogether a new creature.]
2. In the great ends and aim of his life — [The unregenerate man, to whatever class he may belong, whether he be sensual and profane, or moral and devout, invariably makes self the principle and end of all his actions : his life is one continued scene of self-seeking, self-pleasing, self-complacency. He makes his very duties to God subser- vient to his main end of gratifying his desire after self-appro- bation and the applause of man. But these old desires are mortified when once he becomes a real Christian : they will indeed often rise in his mind, because he is " renewed only in part ;" but he has a far higher end, which he infinitely prefers, and to which he gives a deliberate, determined ascendency. He has a concern for the honour of his God ; and he strives that God in all things may be glorified through Christ Jesus. Whether his actions be of a civil or religious nature, he still proposes to himself the same end, to glorify God with his body and his spirit which are God's^. To this the Apostle seems to have peculiar respect in the preceding context™ ; nor is there any thing that more strongly characterizes the child of God,]
Application —
1. Let every one put this question to himself. Am I a real Christian ?
1 1 Pet. iv. 11. 1 Cor. vi. 20. 1 Cor. x. 31. "1 See ver. 15. with which, rather than with ver. 16. the text is connected.