practices in time formed a kind of law. What was sanctioned by one generation was followed by another. And the "con- versation received by tradition from their fathers" was that which was adopted by every succeeding age.]
It is almost superfluous to observe that such con- versation has been " vain" —
[Let any one ask himself what has his past conversation profited him i lias it given him any solid satisfaction? No; the remembrance of it cannot at all assuage the anguish of a mind bowed down with affliction, much less of a mind bur- thened with a sense of guilt. Has it brought honour to God, or any real benefit to mankind ? It has been the means of almost shutting out the knowledge of God from the world ; but has never honoured him in any single instance: and as for mankind, if it have in any respect advanced their temporal interests, it has blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, and encouraged them to walk in the broad way that leadeth to destruction.]
From this however the true Christian has been
redeemed —
[It is not only from hell that the Christian is delivered, but from sin. He once indeed "walked according to the course of this world (which is the devil's courseb) fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind even as others :" but now he has seen the vanity of such a life : he proposes to himself another pattern, even Jesus, " who hath set us an example, that we should follow his steps:" he is no longer " conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of his mind." By the cross of Christ the world is become lothesome to him, even as a crucified objectc : while he is in it indeed, he per- forms the duties of it in a conscientious manner : but he goes into it only, as a physician into an hospital, from a sense of duty, and for the good of others ; and is glad enough to retire from it to a purer atmosphere.]
He endeavours to keep before his eyes,
II. The price paid for him —
Slaves and captives are redeemed with silver and gold ; but gold was of no value in the redemption of our souls —
[The whole world was not a sufficient price for one soul : it could not atone for our sin or reconcile an offended God: nor could it at all avail to change our carnal dispositions.
t> Eph. ii. 2, 3. c Gal. vi. 14.