But we are not to make a sacrifice of divine truth, to please man : for " if we yet pleased men, we could not be the servants of Christ11." Nor are we to indulge any anxiety upon this head : for the very desire to retain " the friendship of the world" is a certain mark of enmity against God'. Whatever men may say, or whatever they may do, we must be faithful to our God, and " cleave unto him with full purpose of heart." Having " bought the truth, you must never sell it." " Hold fast that thou hast; and let no man take thy crown V]
But, before I conclude this subject, let me shew you, in few words,
1. How to distinguish what is " good " —
[You will naturally say, in reply to what has been spoken, ' How shall I know what is good ? for those who oppose the Gospel will appeal to the word of God as confidently as those who receive it : and how am I to determine between them ? ' I answer, the despisers of the Gospel manifestly wrest the word of God, and, by ingenious criticisms, pervert it, for the purpose of maintaining their own erroneous sentiments ; whilst the humble believer receives it with all humility of mind : so that from their very mode of interpreting the Scriptures, you can tell, almost to a certainty, who is right. But, as a general rule, take the entire systems of both, and compare them, and see what is the proper tendency of each : and then remember, that the doctrine which humbles the sinner, exalts the Saviour, and promotes holiness, is and must be "good:" whilst every thing which has an opposite tendency carries its own evidence along with it, as erroneous and bad. This rule, in conjunction with the other, will leave you in no danger of erring, if you cry to God for the teaching of his Spirit, and rely with con- fidence on his heavenly guidance.]
2. How to make a just improvement of it —
[Rest not in a speculative view of truth, however good it may appear. The use of divine truth is, to enlarge the mind, and renovate the soul. Your views of the Gospel ought to raise your affections to God, and to fill you with adoring thoughts of your Lord and Saviour ; and at the same time to transform you into his image. Your soul should " be delivered into it, as into a mould ;" so that every one of its divine lineaments may be formed upon you. To hold it fast for any other end than this, will be to little purpose. But let it be thus improved, and it will be found good indeed : for it will free you from every thing that is corrupt and sinful, and bring you in safety to the realms of bliss."]
h Gal. i. 10. > Jam. iv. 4. the Greek. k Rev. iii. 11.