nor fears arising from it. But are we therefore regardless of the interests of morality? Does not the Apostle himself say, that " he, through the law, was dead to the law ?" Yet what does he conclude from this? That he might live as he pleased? No: he was, " dead to the law, that he might live unto God." And then he repeats the same important truth ; "I am cruci- fied with Christ :" and again guards it against any similar misrepresentation, by shewing that the believer has a strength for obedience which no other person possesses, and motives for obedience which no other person feels. Let these two things be considered, and it will appear, that the Gospel, so far from militating against good works, is the only doctrine that secures the performance of them.
If this argument be not satisfactory, we ask the objector, What are those good works in which the declaimer about morality excels the believer ? Yea, we ask, Whether they who renounce all dependence on their good works, be not the very people who are universally censured on account of the strict- ness and holiness of their lives? Away then with your objec- tions ; and know, that if the Gospel be excellent as a system, it is yet more excellent as advancing the interests of morality.]
2. Those who profess the Gospel —
[Religion consists not in the adoption of any creed, but in a radical change both of heart and life. The words before us sufficiently shew, that it is a matter of experience, and not of mere talk and profession. Hear the Apostle : " I am crucified with Christ ;" " I live ;" " Christ liveth in me ;" " I live by faith ;" " I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." All this has its seat, not in the head, but in the heart. Know therefore that, in order to ascertain the real state of your souls, you must inquire, not what principles you have imbibed, but how they operate ; and whether in these respects you resemble this holy Apostle ? Beloved, we entreat and charge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, not to deceive yourselves with respect to this matter. To form a just estimate of your state, you must ex- amine whether you be really dead to the law, and dead to sin ; and whether, by the almighty operation of the Spirit of God within you, you are enabled to live to the glory of our blessed Lord and Saviour? These are the true tests of vital religion ; and, according as your experience accords with them or not, your state will ultimately be determined at the judgment-seat of Christ.]
3. Those who obey the Gospel —
[It appears to others, and may sometimes even to our- selves, a painful thing to experience a continual crucifixion.