We must, however, be found in the diligent use of the appointed means —
[The dependence of his blessing on the use of the ap- pointed means is not always expressed ; but it is always implied. " He will be inquired of by us," before he will do for us the things which he has most freely promised f. He has appointed the means as well as the end, or rather I should say, the end by the means : he has " chosen us to salvation ; but it is through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth8." He alone has the power whereby our salvation must be affected, as the words of our text very strongly imply h: but he expects that we exert ourselves, as much as if all the power resided in our own arm : and the very consideration which many persons urge as a reason for their inactivity, is suggested by him as a reason and encouragement for our most strenuous exertions1. If we will not ask, and seek, and strive, we must expect nothing at his hands: but if we will put forth our own feeble energies in the way of duty, he will " strengthen us by his Spirit in our inward man," and " make us more than conquerors through Him that loved us."]
From this subject we may learn,
1. How mistaken they are who think that the Gospel leads to licentiousness —
[What symptom of licentiousness is here ? Rather, may we not challenge every religious system in the universe to produce morality like unto this? Other systems provide for " the cleansing of the outside of the cup and platter ;" but no other so effectually reaches the heart. The Gospel provides for the sanctification of all our faculties and powers, and for the transformation of our whole man into the very image of our God. Its language is, " Sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace k." And its effect is, to produce in every mind the desire which is so affectionately expressed in the text, and not for others only, but for ourselves also. Let all jealousy then on this head be put aside: and let us seek to be justified freely by faith in Christ; that, having peace with God through his precious blood, we may receive the communications of his grace more abundantly, and be " changed into his image from glory to glory by the Spirit of our God."]
2. How deluded they are who rest in Christian principles, without aspiring after Christian attain- ments—
f Ezek. xxxvi. 37. e 2 Thess. ii. 13. 1 Pet. i. 2.
h avToc 6 0£oc. ' Phil. ii. 12, 13. k Rom. vi. 11.