direction, and never to follow my own way ? Why am I to have nothing in myself, but all in Christ ? Why should I be necessitated to seek such a measure of sanctification, as not to entertain a " thought that is not brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ?" We choose to have greater liberty, and an easier path. We choose to have a less humiliating way, where we may derive some supplies from a stock of our own, and be able to ascribe some measure of credit to our- selves.
Nor are we by any means satisfied with the rest that is provided for us ; we wish for some rest in earthly things ; and murmur at the prohibition to seek it in them. Why must I have as the one object of my desire a portion that is invisible? Of the Israelites it is said, "they despised the pleasant land; they believed not God's word"*:" and the same may be said of us. We do not estimate aright the felicity of heaven : we do not despise every thing else in comparison of it: we do not follow after it with the ardour that we ought : we shew, in the whole of our life and conversation, that we do not think the prize worth the toil necessary to secure it. Were we duly impressed with the excellency of Canaan as *' the glory of all lands," we should grudge no labours or suiFerings that we may have to encounter in our way to it, nor any exertions that may be necessary for the attainment of it.
What I have here said is applicable to the great mass even of the Christian world : and the true reason of their being so little influenced by all that they hear, is, that they do not mix faith with it : they either account it a cunningly-devised fable, or else imagine that some way shall be found for the salvation of their souls besides that which is revealed in the written word. They believe not what God has spoken either of the way, or of the end ; and therefore they fall short of that end, and perish in their unbelief]
To impress this subject the more deeply on our minds, I will endeavour to improve it, 1. In a way of solemn inquiry —
[It surely is reasonable for all of us to inquire, What have we " profited by the Gospel ? " If we have indeed been pro- fited by it, we can tell, in some degree at least, what are the benefits which we have received from it. To imagine that we have been really benefited, and not to know wherein we have been benefited, and especially in a matter of such infinite im- portance, is palpable and wilful self deception. I ask then, wherein have we been profited by the Gospel? What eflfect has it produced upon our minds in relation to the things before
"^ Ps. cvi. 24.