2. In a determined prosecution of your own will —
[The character given of the Gentiles is, that " they lived to the lusts of men, and not to the will of Goda." And what have you done ? By what standard have you regulated your conduct? and whose will have you consulted? A decent heathen regulates himself according to the standard which the society in which he lives has established. Whatever they approve, he follows : and whatever would degrade him in their estimation, he avoids. And has it not been thus with you also? In whatever line of life you move, have you not conformed to the habits of your associates, accounting every thing innocent which they deemed innocent; and satisfied with yourselves, if you only satisfied them ? Amongst the particular habits of the
a ver. 2. R 2
Gentiles, the Apostle enumerates " lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:" and do not these characterize the Christian world also ? If we are free from open idolatry, we are guilty of it in our hearts as much as the heathen themselves: for whilst some " make a god of their belly," and others are addicted to " covetousness, which is idolatry," we all, in one way or other, " love and serve the creature more than the Creator, who is over all, blessed for ever." As to all the other evils, it will be well if we have not been guilty even in the outward act: for "lasciviousness and excess of wine" are not such uncommon evils amongst us; but, granting that we have been free as it respects the act, have we abhorred the very thought of such evils, as we ought? Have we not, on the contrary, found pleasure in " revellings and banquetings," and " such like," without ever thinking that " they who do such things cannot inherit the kingdom of Godb?" Is it not a notorious fact, that this season of the year, which ought to be in a more especial manner consecrated to holy duties, is devoted to " revelling and banqueting;" precisely as if the Lord Jesus Christ had come unto the world, not to deliver us from sin, but to give us a licence to sinc? But, whether we have indulged in these things or not, still the same charge must be reiterated against us ; namely, that we have lived to ourselves, and not to God ; and have made our own inclinations the rule of our conduct, instead of ad- hering to his commands. This is " the course of this world ;" this is the line of conduct which characterizes without excep- tion " the children of disobedience," and the vassals of the wicked oned.
Say now, brethren, whether ye have not " wrought the will of the Gentiles;" or, in other words, whether ye have not lived like " atheists" and heathense ?]
Let me then proceed to shew you,
II. That the time past may well suffice for such a course as that —
Let me put it to yourselves :
1. What benefit have you derived from this course hitherto ?
[Have you found that the gratifications you have enjoyed have afforded you any solid satisfaction ? You " have sown
b Compare the words following the text with Gal. v. 19 — 21. c It would be well if those who speak of a merry Christmas, would inquire what is meant by " revellings, and such like."
1 Eph. ii. 2, 3. e iideoi lv Kuafiu), Eph. ii. 12.