ST. JOHN'S WARNING.

47

such men or however authoritatively. plausibly, and sophistically they may present their errors -remember, if there come any unto you, either in the pulpit, or visit you in the privacies of domestic life, and bring not this doctrine, [that is, "THE FAITH" once delivered to the saints] the Apostle John tells you thus::-" receive him not into your house, neither bid him, God speed. For he that biddeth him, (whoever he be, whether a prelate or a priest,) God speed, is partaker of his evil deeds." John iii. 10, 11. For "there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other doctrine unto you, than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you, than that ye have received, let him be accursed." Galatians i. 8, 9. "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God."

PART II.

ON

NECESSITY

WHICH EXISTS, ZEALOUSLY ΤΟ

THE PROPAGATE, AND EARNESTLY TO CONTEND FOR, THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS."

THE soldier must not only have an important object set before him, but he must be fired to active zeal to obtain it, if not already in possession; and to secure and defend it, if possessed, and in danger. So the spirit of moral heroism and christian valour must be aroused, and cherished in every follower of Christ. Hence St. Peter says in his second epistle (chap. i. v. 5), "Add to your faith, virtue," or as it is in the original, " valour;" because amongst the ancients, and in military nations, courage was considered as an embodiment of every virtue. And without this "virtue," this valour, how shall the Christian contend earnestly for the faith? But at the commencement of these remarks, it seems but reasonable, that at the very threshold of the subject this interrogation should be presented: What are the special grounds and reasons which

THE INFINITE VALUE OF THE FAITH." 49

may be adduced, in justification of so strenuously urging on a scriptural contention for the faith? St. Jude had his special reasons, arising out of the peculiar aspect of the times, and the heresies which were beginning to abound in the days wherein he wrote, or he would not have said, "It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you, that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints." And does not the age in which Providence has cast our lot, present also unto us as cogent reasons as those which existed in primitive times, why we should conscientiously and zealously discharge the duty which is imposed upon us, when we are exhorted to endure hardness as the good soldiers of Jesus Christ? It may be well, therefore, to present certain considerations, as reasons why we should cherish a spirit of moral heroism and christian valour for the support and defence of the truth as it is in Jesus.

FIRST. If we contemplate-The infinite value and importance of "the faith," it will show the necessity which exists, earnestly to contend for it. What was the theme on which Jude was writing? He says "Beloved, when I gave all diligence, to write unto you of the common salvation." Now consider the wondrous revelations, which the faith once delivered to the

ITS IMPORTANCE.

It is a

saints makes as to this all-important and truly glorious subject. No discovery that philosopher ever made, no theme on which poet ever sung, was ever so valuable, so astonishing, or so delightful, as that amazing, magnificent, and extensive subject, which is included in the comprehensive terms "the common salvation"-" the faith once delivered to the saints." It has God for its author, the Saviour's love for its principal theme, truth for its matter, and man's redemption and Jehovah's glory for its main design, and ultimate object. subject, connected with which there are such amplitudes of thought, and ever-during effects, so important, so interesting, so worthy of devout and continuous contemplation, that into it even angelic intelligences are represented as desirous to look; and on this theme, also, the sanctified and ever enlarging capacities of the spirits of the just made perfect, shall be pleasurably and adoringly fixed through all the countless ages of eternity. " It is the mystery which hath been hid from ages and generations, but now is made manifest to his saints. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Coloss. i. 26, 27.

But you will see the vast value and import

THE GOSPEL. ITS WONDROUS EFFICACY. 51

ance of "the faith," if you view it in another aspect. Contemplate-Its ever present wondrous efficacy, and its future and final triumphant results. "The faith"-" the truth as it is in Jesus," what joy, what hope, what peace, what purity, what present and eternal felicity it brings! What has the introduction of "the faith" effected for Britain? Let the early records of our once barbarous country tell. It has changed naked painted barbarians into benevolent citizens of the world, adorned with all the sympathies and charities of delightful domestic life. It has banished from our borders the debasing superstitions and the murderous rites of Druidical mysteries, and introduced in their stead, a purer code of morals, and a form of worship at once spiritual and simple, and therefore acceptable to Him who is a Spirit, and who wills that those "who worship Him, should worship Him in spirit and in truth." And what does "the faith" effect now? It transforms the savage into the saint, changes the lion into a lamb, and the ravening vulture into the chaste and peaceful dove. It makes the vassal of sin and Satan to break off his manacles, and to walk abroad on the earth, and forward, and upward to heaven, in the light and liberty of the adopted sons of God. What it has done, let the moral and spiritual triumphs of the