of them are bowing down to stocks and stones: and almost all, even of those who acknowledge the one true God, are yet denying him daily, and shewing their enmity to him by wicked works. But how does he requite them? Does he avail himself of his power to deprive them of every comfort, and to punish them all according to their deserts? No: with much long-suffering he endures all their provocations, notwith- standing they are " vessels of wrath already fitted for destruc- tion :" he even loads them indiscriminately with all the bounties of his providence, " making his sun to rise equally on the evil and on the good, and sending rain equally on the just and on the unjust." In like manner must we act towards those who injure us. We must bear with them, and do them good according to our ability: and it is by such conduct only that loe can approve ourselves his children. Let us not, however, be misunderstood : it is not necessary that we should deal with such persons altogether as our friends : for even God himself does not do that : he comes to his own people in a more inti- mate manner, and " sups with them," and " makes his abode with them," and " manifests himself unto them as he does not unto the world." Thus also may we do. There is a love of benevolence, a love of beneficence, and a love of complacency, if we may so speak : the two former must be exercised towards all : the last may fitly be reserved for those who alone possess the dispositions worthy of it. Such a preference God himself authorizes, when he says, " Do good unto all men, but espe- cially unto them who are of the household of faith °."]
2. Their superiority to an ungodly world —
[God will not be satisfied with seeing his people live after the manner of the ungodly. To what purpose have they been " redeemed," if they are to retain the same " vain conversa- tion" which those around them follow? To what purpose have •' their eyes been opened to behold the wondrous things of God's law," to what purpose have they been adopted into his family, and been filled with his Spirit, and been made heirs of his inheritance, if they are not to walk worthy of their high calling? Are their superior knowledge, obligations, prospects, and assistances, to have no practical influence upon their lives? The vilest of publicans and sinners will love and benefit their friends ; and is this a standard for God's redeemed people ? No: they must love their enemies: else, " What do they more than others?'' Surely, if we are no better than others in our dispositions and conduct, we shall be no better than they in our eternal destiny.]
o Gal. vi. 10.