strength of our animal frame, subside into a peaceful compo- sure, a sweet serenity of mind, a " peace of God which passeth all understanding." These are the never-failing fruits of divine grace in the soul. A variety of circumstances may occur which may impede the exercise of these holy affections ; especially the workings of a corrupt nature, still striving to bring us into captivity to sin, may occasionally prevail to damp our joy and interrupt our peace ; but according to the measure of the grace given unto us, will be the fruits of that grace abounding in the soul.]
2. Those which have a more immediate relation to our fellow-creatures —
[Towards them, both the active and passive virtues are called forth by incidents of daily occurrence. " Long-suffer- ing, gentleness, goodness, faith (or fidelity), meekness " have a constant scope for exercise, as also "temperance" has, both in the desire of earthly things, and in the enjoyment of them. Here again it is not necessary to enter minutely into these different virtues : it is the collective body of them which characterizes the true Christian, and marks, beyond a possi- bility of doubt, the excellence of the principle from which they spring.
" Against these there is no law." Not one word is there to be found in all the Holy Scriptures that condemns the pro- duction of these fruits. Were they condemned, our blessed Lord and Saviour must fall under condemnation; since he maintained and exercised these virtues to a degree never equalled by mortal man. Tt is impossible to yield these fruits too much: the more we abound in them, the more we resemble the Lord Jesus Christ, and the more do we evince a meetness for the heavenly inheritance.]
Now comes the point to be determined ; namely, What is,
III. The Christian's state in reference to them both —
The description given of Christians must not be overlooked —
[There is no periphrasis by which they can be more fitly described, than that given in our text, " They that are Christ's." This is their title universally; and it belongs to them alone. They were from eternity given unto Christ by the Father; as Christ himself says, " Thine they were; and thou gavest them to mee." They have been purchased by
e John xvii. 6, 9, 11, 12, 24.