Gospel0," or be induced to " make shipwreck of your faith in
Christ p."]
3. Against the treachery of your own hearts —
[There is no evil whatever more deeply rooted in the heart of man than self-righteousness. It will assume in you ten thousand shapes. Sometimes it will put on the garb of holiness ; and make you fearful of exalting Christ too much, lest you should depreciate and discourage morality. Some- times it will assume the form of humility ; and make you stand aloof from Christ because of your own unworthiness : ' You are not good enough to come to him : he will never receive so vile a sinner as you.' There is no end to the delu- sions which your own deceitful hearts will suggest, to sanction, in some degree or other, a dependence on your own works. But you must put away every thought that may interfere with the honour of Christ, to whom the glory of your salvation must be given, whole and entire, from first to last. It is altogether the purchase of his blood, and the gift of God for his sake : and it must be received, by every creature under heaven, " without money, and without price." St. Paul tells you, that if you do the best act in the world with a view to augment your interest in Him, " he shall profit you nothing*1." The least attempt of this kind will invalidate the whole Gospel1 : and therefore look well to yourselves, that ye " receive not the grace of God in vain."]
Address —
1. Those who are yet cleaving to the covenant of works —
[What works will ye ever do, that shall be effectual for your salvation ? or what single act have ye ever done, that will bear the test of God's law? O, think of your folly and your wickedness! your folly, in preferring bondage to liberty ; and your wickedness, in so requiting the grace of Christ ]
2. Those who are enjoying the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free —
[Enjoy it, and be thankful for it but "turn it
not to licentiousness." Shew, by your lives, that the Gospel is " a doctrine according to godliness :" and let the world see that, whilst you " contend earnestly for the faith delivered to the saints," you are "careful to maintain good works."]
0 Col. i. 23. p 1 Tim. i. 19. q ver. 2. » ver. 3, 4.
o2