c Matt. vii. 13, 14. d Phil. iv. 13.
Some " sow to the flesh" —
[To sow to the flesh, is to seek in the first place our carnal ease and interests. This we may do notwithstanding we are free from gross sins. Every one comes under this description who " sets his affections on things below."]
They whose life is so occupied will " reap cor- ruption"—
[The present enjoyments they will have are both corrup- tible and defiling. The future recompence will be everlasting destruction e. This is elsewhere affirmed in the plainest terms f.]
Others " sow to the Spirit" —
[The Holy Spirit invariably inclines men to the love of God, and of holiness. The new nature of the regenerate affects also spiritual objects and employments. To sow to the Spirit therefore is to seek and delight in spiritual things.]
They who do this will reap everlasting life —
[A life of devotedness to God can never issue in misery. God has promised that it shall terminate in glory g.]
Thus, not our pleas and pretences, but our life and conduct, will determine our eternal state —
[Our harvest will accord with the seed we sow. These different ends are inseparable from the different means h. The punishment, however, will be as wages earned ; the reward as a gift bestowed1.]
Infer —
1. What extreme folly is it to live regardless of
God and our own souls !
[No husbandman expects to reap wheat, when he has sown only tares. How absurd then to hope for heaven while we seek not after it ! Let us be convinced of our folly, and learn wisdom even from the children of this world.]
2. How absurd would it be to be diverted from our duty by any difficulties we may meet with in the discharge of it !
[The husbandman does not regard inclemencies of wea- ther, much less would he be deterred from his work by the
e This is evidently the import of corruption in this place ; because it is opposed to everlasting life. It implies that state of soul which most corresponds with the corruption of the body.
f Rom. viii. 13. s Rom. vi. 22. and viii. 13.
* Rom. ii. 0—10. ! Rom. vi. 23.