shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh." Let us consider then,
I. The direction here given —
Before we can enter fully into the passage hefore us, we must explain the terms which the Apostle uses to convey his sentiments. The whole context shews that there are two principles in the regenerate man ; one which is called flesh, and another which is called spirit : the one comprehending all which we bring into the world with us, and which is common to the natural man; the other importing that better principle which is infused into the soul by the Spirit of God, when he quickens us to a new and heavenly life : as our Lord says, " That which is born of the flesh is flesh ; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit V Sin of every kind is the fruit of the former ; and holiness of every kind is the offspring of the latter. Amongst " the works of the flesh," the Apostle numbers " idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulation, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies0 :" which shews, that we are not, when speaking of " the lusts or desires of the flesh," to confine our views to sins which are acted in and by the body ; but to take in all the corruptions of our nature, in mind as well as body. With this explanation, we shall the more easily see, that, to " walk in the Spirit," we must walk,
1. In a constant attention to the new principle in- fused into us —
[I cannot give a more just idea of this new principle, which the Spirit of God imparts to us in our conversion, than by comparing it with the modern invention of the compass. Before the invention of the compass, mariners, in a dark night, were unable with any precision to direct their course. Whilst they were in sight of land, or had a view of the sun or stars, they could proceed with some degree of certainty : but, in the absence of these, they were altogether at a loss. But it is not so with manners at this time. By the help of the compass they can by night steer the ship, as well as in the day ; having constantly at hand, as it were, a sure directory.
b John iii. G. c ver. 20.