Eph. v. 9. The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth.
THERE is in the minds of many a prejudice against the writings of St. Paul, as though they con- tained nothing but dissertations about predestination and election, and were calculated rather to drive people to despondence than to improve their morals. But there are no writings in the whole sacred volume more practical than his. True it is, that he unfolds the whole mystery of godliness more fully and more deeply than others : and he seems to have been raised up of God for that very end, that the theory of religion might be more distinctly known : but, in
all his epistles, he has an especial respect to the interests of morality ; the standard of which he elevates to an extent unknown before, and for the practice of which he adduces motives which never till that time were duly appreciated. In no one of his epistles does he maintain more strongly those doctrines which are thought so objectionable, than in this : yet is one half of the epistle occupied with exhortations to holiness, in all its different bearings and relations.
In the words before us we have, what I may call, a compendium, or summary, of Christian morals.
And, that we may know what practical Christianity really is, I will,
I. Mark it in its offices —
Sanctification, both in heart and life, is the great end of the Gospel, and a most essential part of that redemption which is there revealed to us. It is here set forth as including,
1. Goodness —
[Goodness is the one all-comprehensive character of the Deity. It shines forth in all his works : it meets us where- ever we turn our eyes : " The earth is full of the goodness of the Lorda." The effect of the Gospel is, to transform us into his image : and this it does ; creating it in our hearts, and calling it forth in our lives. Under the influence of this divine principle, we shall seek to promote the happiness of all around us. Whatever is amiable, and lovely, and of good report, in the spirit and temper of the mind, we shall cul- tivate it to the uttermost, and exercise it on all occasions. There will be no trouble which we shall not labour to alle- viate ; no want which we shall not endeavour to supply. To "be good, and do good," even like God himself b, will be the summit of our ambition, and the very end of our lives.]
2. Righteousness —
[Whilst goodness is spontaneous, and acts irrespective of any particular claim which men may have upon us, "righteous- ness " has respect to the obligations which we lie under to " render unto all their dues." This, also, the Gospel forms within us ; stirring us up, both in word and deed, to act
a Ps. xxxiii. 5. b Ps. cxix. 68.
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