[If they were Christians who were conformed to Christ in his entombed state, and who sought only the things below, there would be no lack of them in every place : but if those only be Christians who in heart and life are risen with Christ, and who seek only the things above, then are they few indeed. Brethren, try yourselves by these marks, and you shall soon
find your real character before God But know ye this
of a truth, that, whatever you may think to the contrary, they only who live to Christ in this world, shall ever live loith him in the world to come.]
2. How blessed are they who are Christians in- deed—
[Being risen with Christ, their lives are hid with Christ in God, beyond the reach of men or devils p. While they are engaged in heavenly pursuits, they may enjoy the security which God has ordained for them. Oppositions, indeed, and difficulties they must expect; but Christ will not lose one member of his mystical body. He derides the vain attempts of his enemies and ours. We too may defy the confederate powers of earth and hellq: for, however they may obtain a temporary triumph, their efforts shall terminate in their own confusion. With Christ we shall rise victorious ; and " when he who is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory1."]
p ver. 3. i Rom. viii. 33, 34. r ver. 4.
Col. iii. 2. Set your affections on things above, not on things
on the earth.
IT seems harsh and paradoxical, to say that Chris- tianity is very imperfectly understood amongst us. Respecting its mysterious doctrines, perhaps, the allegation would be admitted without difficulty : but respecting its precepts, scarcely any one would sus- pect that the observation could have any foundation in truth. But it is to the preceptive part especially that I intend the remark to be applied : and I think that, before I have closed my present subject, the greater part of you will agree with me, that the sen- timent is just. The morality of Christians in general
q 2