dering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for everd."]
If it be thought hard to say, of all these persons, that they have not faith, I will,
II. Adduce evidence in confirmation of it —
Amongst the persons that have been specified, not a few are "unreasonable and wicked men" —
[All of them will, more or less, unite in reviling and per- secuting the Gospel of Christ. Though there is no other point in which they are agreed, they will stand together readily and harmoniously upon this ground. Who were greater enemies to the Gospel than " the false brethren" whom St. Paul enumerates among the catalogue of those who sought his life e ? That a profligate and abandoned rabble should seek to destroy him, we do not wonder f: but that " devout and honourable women" should lend themselves as instruments to persecute him, we should scarcely conceive, did we not know it as a fact recorded by the inspiration of Godg. But the truth is, that no persons under heaven are more adverse to the pure doc- trines of the Gospel, and to those who preach it, than the self- righteous Pharisees. The conduct of Paul, previous to his conversion, fully evinces this11 ; and the experience of the Church, in all ages, bears witness to it.]
But the true believer is the very reverse of these —
[Compare him with the Infidel. — A man who believes in Christ cannot make the truths of revelation a subject of profane mockery : no ; he reverences the word of God, and " trembles at it ;" and is as much assured, as he is of his own existence, that every jot and tittle of it shall be fulfilled in its season.
Compare him with the Formalist. — The believer in Christ, so far from seeing any thing of merit in himself, is humbled in the dust, under a sense of his own demerit ; and, renouncing utterly all dependence on himself, he looks for salvation simply and entirely through Christ alone.
Compare him with the Hypocrite. — The believer endeavours as much to fulfil the law, as if he thought he was to be saved by his obedience to it. Could he attain his heart's desire, he would " stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."
Compare him with the " unreasonable and wicked" Perse- cutor.—The true Christian has received " a spirit of Jove, and of power, and of a sound mind :" and, so far from wishing to
f Acts xvii. 5.
a Jude, ver. 12, 13.
« 2 Cor. xi. 26.
e Acts xiii. 50.
h Gal. i. 1.3, 11