the unconverted world pursue ; as the Apostle tells us in the words following our text : " The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth." Whilst the ungodly indulge in all the fore-mentioned iniquities, our conduct is to be the very reverse of theirs. In opposition to all unholy tempers1, we are to abound in every thing that is " lovely and of good report" In opposition to all that may inter- fere with the welfare of othersk, we are to do in all things precisely as, in a change of circumstances, we should think it
right for our neighbour to do unto us And in the
whole of our deportment towards both God and man, there should be the most inviolable " truth," even a perfect integrity
of mind, a spirit that is without guile Perhaps we may
get somewhat of an idea of our duty from what we behold amongst the heavenly bodies. The stars are all irradiated by the sun ; and in respect of that great luminary, may be called children of light. These, according to their capacity, reflect the brightness of the sun, and impart to others the light they have received. So it should be with us : we should make our light to shine before men, that so those who behold us may know how to walk, at the same time that they are constrained to glorify that Sun of Righteousness whose beams we reflect. This is the idea inculcated by the Apostle himself, who tells us, that we must " shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life1," and " proving" in our own persons " what is acceptable unto the Lordm."]
But there is yet another idea, and a very important one, suggested in this expression, " children of light." It is the property of light to make things manifest; and consequently, we are to bear our testimony against all the deeds of darkness, not only " having no fellowship with them, (for " what fellow- ship can light have with darkness"? ") but reproving them0," and bearing our testimony for God against all who commit them.
Such then must our conduct be, holy and exemplary, de- cided and firm.]
2. In what spirit we should walk in it —
[" Children of disobedience" are such as, from the pro- pensity of their nature, live in wilful and habitual disobedience to God's commands. So " children of light," from the impulse of the Holy Spirit, walk cheerfully and habitually in the ways of God. They are not compelled, like slaves, to serve him against their will ; but, like dear children, they love their Father's will, and find his ways to be ways of pleasantness and
1 Eph. iv. 31. k ver. 3. ' Phil. ii. 15, 16.
m ver. 10. n 2 Cor. vi. 14. ° ver. 11, 13.