body as it is with our natural bodies: when every member performs its proper office, and supplies its proper nutriment, all the parts are kept in activity and vigour, and the whole is confirmed and strengthened". Let any of the graces before mentioned be neglected, and disunion will proportionably ensue. Moreover, those members that are most defective in their duty, will most discover a consequent languor and decay. Whereas, the members that are indefatigable in the exercise of these graces, will " make their profiting to appear," and be enabled to withstand the assaults of all their enemies0. The former will be a source of trouble and disquietude to the Church ; the latter, of harmony and peace.]
3. To the world around us —
[There is nothing else so likely to fix conviction on the minds of sinners. The ungodly world will not learn religion from the Bible ; nor will listen to it as enforced in the dis- courses of God's faithful ministers. But they cannot shut their eyes against the light of a holy life. St. Paul's epistles are known and read of few : but godly men are " the epistles of Christ, known and read of all menD :" and many who would not regard the written word, have been won by their godly conversation q.
On the other hand, there is nothing that hardens sinners so much as an inconsistent conduct in the professors of religion. If a saint fall through temptation, or a hypocrite discover his hypocrisy ; instantly the world cry out, " There, there, so would we have itr." Nor are they satisfied with condemning the individual offenders ; they immediately reflect on the whole body of Christians, as hypocrites alike ; yea, and blas- pheme that adorable Saviour whose religion they profess s. Thus do they confirm their prejudices against the truth, and justify themselves in their rejection of the Gospel. If then the rescuing of our fellow-creatures from perdition, or the contri- buting to involve them in it, be so connected with our con- duct, of what importance must it be so to demean ourselves, that we may adorn our holy profession, and recommend the Gospel to their favourable acceptance !]
Application —
[" Think then upon these things." Think of their nature, that you may be apprised of their extent : think of their obli- gation, that you may be aware of their importance : think of their difficulty, that you may obtain help from your God :
n Eph. iv. 11—13, 15, 16, 29. ° 2 Pet. i. 5—11.
p 2 Cor. iii. 2, 3. i 1 Pet. iii. 1, 2. » Ps. xxxv. 19, 25.
s 2 Pet. ii. 2. Rom. ii. 24. 1 Tim. vi. 1.