body, and of the suitablenesss of food to recruit his strength. Hence, as a security against their being beguiled by enticing . words, the Apostle says to the Colossian Church, " As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him, rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving*."]
2. As a dispensation of grace to the soul — [The same covenant, which says, " I will forgive their iniquity, and their sins will I remember no more," says, *' I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts"." It even engages to do this so effectually, that, notwithstanding all their outward temptations and inward corruptions, they shall never finally depart from God''. In this light then should the Gospel be viewed, namely, as a provision for the " turning of men, not only from darkness unto light, but from the power of Satan unto God." For this end is " all fulness of grace treasured up in Christ," that " out of it all his people might receive," and that " the grace so conferred may be sufficient for them."
Now if once we are established in this view of the Gospel, we may bid defiance to all the sophistries that would relax our obligation to holiness. We shall see that holiness is the grand constituent of salvation, inasmuch as it is the restoration of God's image to the soul, even of that image which alone can fit us for the enjoyment of his presence, and without which we must remain everlasting objects of his utter abhorrence. Indeed, if once we are established in this grace, all the subtil- ties of controversialists will lose their power. We shall see that a perfect conformity to God's likeness is the only thing which we need to be concerned about ; and the only end for which even the purest principles are of any value. This well fixed in the mind, our walk will be steadfast ; nor, however violent the assaults of heretics may be upon us, shall any of them prevail to " carry us away."]
We are yet further called to notice, III. The recommendation enforced —
" It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace :" yes truly, " it is a good thing :" for it brings,
1. Peace into the soul — [Those who are tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, or who are entering deeply into controversies of any
t Col. ii. 4, 6, 7. " Jer. xxxi. 33, 34. Heb. x. 16, 17.
X Jer. xxxii. 38 — 41.