[Were we laden with bags of gold, we should be cautious how we ventured ourselves among thieves and robbers. And shall we be careless when we carry about with us what is of more value than the whole world ? Shall we triile with that which nothing but the precious blood of God's own Son could redeem? Shall Satan as a roaring lion go about seeking to devour us, and we not stand on our guard against him? Shall we suffer him to " destroy that for which Christ died?" O let not that precious blood be so vile in our eyes. Let not our souls appear of so little value. Let us rather watch night and day. It is but a little time : soon we shall be at home; safe in the bosom of our Lord, safe beyond the reach of harm.]
Application —
1. Let us inquire what we "know'''' concerning these things —
[The Apostle takes for granted that all Christians " knotv" them. But do ye know them ? Do ye know that a worldly conversation is a vain conversation ? Do ye know that no resolutions, no services, yea, nothing but the precious blood of Christ could ever redeem you from it? And do ye know by daily experience the efficacy of his blood in that view ? " Ex- amine yourselves whether ye be in the faith," and whether you have that deadness to the world, which alone can warrant a favourable conclusion. If ye be Christ's, " ye are not of the world, even as he was not of the world e :" " ye are dead to it," and " have your conversation in heaven V]
2. Let us labour to experience them more and more —
[There is something very fascinating in the temptations of the world. Its pleasures, riches, or honours are but too apt to draw us aside. But whenever ye are tempted, say, Shall I return to that bondage from which I have been re- deemed with the precious blood of Christ? Shall I trample under foot the Son of God, and crucify him afresh*? Shall I, as it were, see his dead corpse lying in my way, and go over that to the gratification of my base desires? Surely such re- flections will not fail to animate your resolution, and to keep you at a distance from those scenes of vanity, where your steadfastness would be endangered. Let us live as citizens of a better country, and " no more fashion ourselves according to our former lusts in our ignorance1'." Let us drink of purer pleasures, even of " that river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God." Tims, experiencing the full benefits of redeeming love on earth, we shall ere long sing its praises in heaven for evermore.]
e John xvii. 16. f Phil. iii. 20. * Heb. x. 29. »> 1 Pet. i. 14.
2389. J tiie father's part in redemption. 171