begotten again to a lively hope of an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for usb." Yes, faith penetrates the highest heavens, and sees there crowns and kingdoms purchased by the blood of Christ, and promised to all who believe in him. An eternity of glory upon the very throne of God, the believer expects as his assured portion ]
But the excellency of the Gospel is further shewn,
II. By the effects produced on our lives —
" It brings forth fruit in all the world" —
[See the fruits of the Spirit as described by the Apostle : " The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance0." There is not a grace that was in Christ Jesus himself, which the Gospel does not form in the souls of those who believe in
him " The discovery which it gives us of the glory of
Christ transforms us into his image, from glory to glory, by the Spirit of our Godd."]
It does this invariably and universally —
[There is not a creature who receives the grace of God in truth, but experiences this effect upon his soul. It matters not whether he be the most civilized man on earth, or a poor savage Indian or Hottentot : he will, from the moment that he receives the Gospel, begin to bear the image of his hea- venly Father "in righteousness and true holiness"
And the man who professes to believe in Christ, and does not bring' forth the fruits of righteousness in his life and con- versation, is a self-deceiver, and a hypocrite. " His faith is no better than the faith of devils ;" and, if he die in his present state, his end shall be like theirs also : for God has decreed, that " without holiness no man shall see the Lorde" ]
Tell me now, brethren,
1. Have we not ground to " give thanks for you ?"
[Were you all reduced to the most abject state of poverty, and relieved by the Gospel to the utmost extent of your necessities, and enriched with all that the whole world could bestow ; or were you all in dying circumstances, and restored to health by the Gospel ; it were nothing, in comparison of the blessings ye have received (many of you at least) through the word ministered unto you. You have been brought by it from death to life, from sin to holiness, from hell to heaven.
b 1 Pet. i. 4. c Gal. v. 22, 23.
d 2 Cor. hi. 18. e Heb. xii. 14.