alone y" By retaining in constant exercise this humble
and childlike spirit, we shall obtain frequent tokens of God's favourable acceptance : but by departing from it, we shall provoke him to hide his face from us.]
2. By dishonouring it in our practice —
[To this more especially does the Apostle refer, both in the preceding and following context. Unhallowed tempers and dispositions are most offensive to the Spirit of God. O that all the professors of religion throughout the world were made duly sensible of this truth! But, whether they consider it or not, God will not dwell where there is bitterness and wrath, and anger and clamour, and evil-speaking and malice, or an habitual want of a forbearing and forgiving spirit. Falsehood too in our words, and dishonesty in our dealings, and impurity in our hearts, will assuredly drive him from us, and bring down upon us the tokens of his displeasure : " If any man defile the temple of God, him will God destroy2." It is no uncommon thing to find those who profess religion low and miserable in their minds. But we should not wonder at it, if we knew what abominations are harboured in their hearts : we should rather wonder that God bears so long with them, and that his wrath does not break forth to consume them in an instant. Let us never forget this, that as well may light have fellowship with darkness, and Christ with Belial, as the Spirit of God abide with those who yield not to his sanctifying operations. If, instead of conforming our- selves to the mind that was in Christ, we rebel against him, we shall " vex his Holy Spirit, and provoke him to become our enemy9."]
Address —
1. Those who comply not with the written word —
[The word which is recorded in the Scriptures of truth is God's word : it is altogether given by inspiration from the Holy Ghost. If therefore we comply not with that, we resist the Holy Ghost, and " do despite to him." Consider this, ye who receive not the word with all humility of mind, or labour not to conform to it in your life and conversation : think, whom it is that ye resist and rebel against ; even Him, who, if he depart from you, will leave you in a bondage from which you can never be delivered, and in misery from which you can never be redeemed b. O learn to tremble at the word of God,
y Here reference may be made to any " questions and strifes of words" which may be agitated in the Church : for they all, when unduly insisted on, grieve the Holy Spirit.
z 1 Cor. iii. 17. a Jsai. lxiii. 10. •' Hos. iv. 17. and ix. 12.