is of those who are born of God. They so believe that Jesus is the Christ, as to receive him as their Saviour from eternal death: to receive him as a man who thinks himself dying receives the physician who can restore him: to welcome him as the captive welcomes the deliverer who has brought his ransom to trust to him, as the sailor to a pilot in the mist, or to an anchor in the storm: to cling to him, as to the “ Rock of ages:" to cast themselves upon him, as Noah upon the ark which was to carry him through the deluge, or as the manslayer among the Israelites upon the city of refuge, when the avenger of blood was in pursuit of him. I do not mean that the Christian has continually the feeling of persons in such circumstances. Far otherwise. These are the feelings of persons suddenly seized with alarm, and placed in peril. But the Christian's blessing is, in whatever circumstances, to be "without amazement," to be calm and tranquil. He has peace with God; and being cleansed from his sins, he serves him with a quiet mind. But this is the ground of his peace, and his tranquillity, and his confidence: he has received Christ Jesus, on his own part; and on the side of Christ, he has received in return the privilege of becoming a child of God.

This is the faith which St. John means when he says, that whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. It is divinely wrought in the heart. Those who receive Jesus as the Christ, are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." How, then,

66

you will ask, is it to be obtained? Like all other blessings, it must be desired, and sought, and prayed for.

In the first place, it must not be opposed; it must not be opposed by that indifference which makes no provision against the day of account; it must not be opposed by magnifying our own deserts; it must not be opposed by excusing our sins, and laying the blame upon our nature, or on our circumstances, or on the example of other men.

And, further, instead of being opposed, it must be encouraged. Encouraged, by meditating, with the Scripture in our hands, and with prayer upon our lips, on these three things:-First, on the law of God; next, on the agreement of our own heart and life with that law; thirdly, on the cross of Christ. If you realise to yourselves the law of God, as that by which you must be tried-if you examine your

hearts, with a view to such a trial-you will thankfully flee to the cross of Christ, and nail your transgressions there. "For by the law is the knowledge of sin." "But thanks be to God," who has granted remission of sin to as many as believe that Jesus is the Christ. And when that faith is wrought in your heart, as the animating, influencing, directing principle, then have evidence which can never be disproved that you are born of God.

you

LECTURE LXXIV.

THE EFFECT OF FAITH IN CHRIST, IN OVERCOMING THE LOVE OF THIS WORLD.

1 JOHN v. 2-4.

2. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

The apostle had said, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." And throughout, he has represented love of the brethren as the sign of a Christian's state. Perhaps the thought occurred to him, that this might lead to self-deceit; and that a man might plead his love for the brethren in excuse for his want of love to God. So he lays down a test by which this error might be corrected. By this we know that we love the children of God in that right spirit which God approves, when this love is a part of our whole character, and agrees with it: when we love God, and keep his commandments. Then there is a proof that our love of the children of God grows out of our love towards their Father.

So wonderfully does the Spirit of God dive into the recesses of the christian heart. It was foreseen that men would arise who should pride themselves on their love towards their family, or excuse themselves for offences against God, on plea of charity

towards their neighbours. They have neglected the rules of temperance and sobriety: they have not remembered the sabbath-day to keep it holy: they have shown no love of God or of his word: but this at least they cannot be accused of: they have wronged no one-they are in charity with all men. To these St. John addresses himself here. By this we know that we love the children of God with that true christian feeling which Christ prescribes and God will approve, when we love God, and keep his commandments. Anything except this is a mere mockery of God; as if the observing one of his laws were to set us free from others. True love is of a very different nature. It is anxious to please, and willing to serve, in everything. Such is love towards a fellow-creature, and such is love towards God.

3. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.

His commandments are not burthensome or disagreeable to us. Where love exists, no duties are grievous. How constant and heavy is the labour which a mother suffers with her infant child; yet how willingly do mothers bear it, because they love their children! In the history of Jacob, we read that Laban, Rachel's father, required of him seven years' service before he would give him his daughter Rachel in marriage. And Moses tells us, that

66

Jacob served Laban seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days, for the love he bore unto her." Thus it is, that to those who love 1 Gen. xxix. 20.

God, his commandments are not grievous. They are not grievous in themselves. Their reward is with them. And they are not grievous, for the same reason that Jacob's service was not grievous. The motives through which they are fulfilled, the result expected from fulfilling them, lightens all the labour, and repays all the self-denial which they require.

4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world : and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

There is indeed something in the world which does make the commandments of God grievous, as long as this world continues to exercise power or influence over a man. If things below are the chief objects of desire; to neglect those things, and resist that desire, must needs be painful. But that which is born of God overcometh the world. The true Christian has a principle within him that makes earthly things secondary: overcomes those pleasures, temptations, and desires, which make the commandments of God grievous to any who are not "led by the Spirit of God."

We cannot reflect upon this sentence without perceiving its serious import. The world, in which we live, in which our duties lie, in which our business engages us, of which we form a part, to which our friends and connexions belong, this world we are to resist-nay, to overcome-on our doing so our hopes depend; for it is the proof given of our faith, and therefore of our safety, whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.

-