Christ;" and consequently can form a correct judgment both of our own state and theirs*. Thus, whilst all others are " perishing for lack of knowledge"," they have " that unction of the Holy One whereby they know all things*," and are become truly wise, being made " wise unto salvation through faith in Christ *."]
Such being their high character, they are con- cerned to know, and to consider well,
II. The conduct that befits them —
Doubtless their deportment should be such as is suited to the distinguished rank which they bear amongst their fellows : and their superiority to others should be marked,
1. In their works —
[Their whole " conversation should be such as becometh the Gospel of Christ2." A tree must be known by its fruits ; and their faith be judged of by their works3. The whole tenour of these must be good : and, though they are not to be done with a view to man's applause, they must be such as to evince to all around them the excellence of the principles which they profess: " they must make their light so to shine before men, that all who behold their good works may glorify their Father that is in heaven b." They must " sheio out of a good conversation their ivorks."
But in relation to these (their works) the godly will find no difficulty, if they attend to that which is principally adverted to in our text, namely, to walk worthy of their profession.]
2. In their spirit —
[The Christian is renewed, not in knowledge or in the outward conduct only, but " in the spirit of his mindc." He is poured into a new mould, the mould of the Gospel d. He is assimilated to the Lord Jesus Christ himself, especially in the meekness and gentleness of his spirit under the heaviest trials, and the bitterest provocations. Of him we are told, that " he was led as a lamb to the slaughter ; and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so opened he not his mouthe:" and in that particular he is more especially commended to us as an example : for " he suffered, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps ; who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth ; who, when he was reviled, reviled not
* 1 Cor. ii. 15, 16. u Hos. iv. 6. x 1 John ii. 20, 27.
y 2 Tim. hi. 15. z Phil. i. 27. a Jam. i. 18.
b Matt. v. 16. c Eph. iv. 23.
d Rom. vi. 17. the Greek. e Isai. liii. 7.