induces, but when none of them do, or even when they all (if that were possible,) are on the other side. So that it is impossible that he can be without a motive to do good works, so long as it is impossible that his good works should not glorify God and benefit man." THE WHOLE GOSPEL DESIGNED TO PROMOTE HOLINESS. "THERE is not one doctrine which is not stated in the word of God in connexion with holiness of heart and life. We are elect through sanctification unto obedience. Those whom God foreknew he predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son. He hath chosen us in Christ, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holyOur Saviour Jesus Christ gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. The grace of God which bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. We are called out of darkness into his marvellous light, that we should show forth the praises of Him who hath called us: which doubtless must be not with our lips only but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to his service, and by walking before him in holiness and righteousness all our days'-as the vigour and ability of one who has been sick, and supposed incurable, is the best commendation of the physician; without which the most lavish praises of the yet languishing patient will be of little avail.-If we are through the law dead to the law, it is that we might live unto God. Are we justified by faith, so that there is now no condemnation for us? We, at the same time, walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit; by the Spirit mortify the deeds of the body, crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts; become in Christ new creatures; so that old things are passed away, behold, all things become new.-Are we assured that we are in a safe state, and in the way to salvation? Wherefore, my my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.-Do the saints persevere? Yea, by patient continuance in well-doing, they seek for glory, and honour, and immortality. "Let us diligently attend to, and carefully copy the phraseology of the holy scriptures. Every thing is in them connected with, and made conducive to holy affections, dispositions, and actions. Every thing issues in love to God and man, and in the fruits and effects of such a temper in our words and works. "The gospel may be denominated a scheme, formed in God's infinite wisdom and love, to restore a fallen creature to holiness, in consistency with the rules of the divine government, the honour of the divine law, the glory of God's holiness and justice, and to the praise of his grace. This is the end, and glory, and loveliness of the gospel. Rob it of this, and you degrade it into the mire. Christ becomes the minister of sin: and, Let us sin on that grace may abound, is then the genuine language of the believer. There may be much loveliness in such a gospel to a carnal mind; for it is a carnal gospel, and similis simili gaudet.1 PROMISES AND PRIVILEGES ATTACHED TO "PROMISES are made and privileges belong to characters, not persons. Seldom or never in the word of God, is any consolation proposed to God's people or children, otherwise than by some distinguishing mark of their character, by which they differ from all hypocrites.-All things work together for good-to whom? to God's people? yes: but they are such as love God.-There is no condemnation-to whom? to believers ? yes: but they are such as walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.-Like as a father pitieth his own children, even so the Lord pitieth-whom? his children? yes: but this is their character, those that fear him. Are they who walk in darkness, and have no light, encouraged to trust in the name of the Lord, and to stay upon their God? yes: but they must be such as fear the Lord, and obey the voice of his servant. This is universally the method of scripture: and well had it been for the souls of men, if it had been always imitated, and consolation never proposed in general terms to the children of God, simply as such, and without any further description; but to persons who are of such a character; have such inward experiences, 1 'Like loves like.' longing desires, breathings after God and holiness; and from this inward source produce habitually the fruits of edifying conversation and holy conduct. The contrary course has an evident tendency to bolster up the confidence of the presumptuous hypocrite, who, like a greedy dog, devours the children's food, without fear or shame, and, when rebuked for it, is ready to turn again and rend the faithful servant of God; while the humble, fearful believer, not daring to think himself a child, for want of having the evidences of it pointed out to him,1 stands trembling at a distance, and dares not venture to taste a morsel of what all belongs exclusively to him.-Most assuredly this undistinguishing way of preaching2 is casting that which is holy unto the dogs; and, I am deeply convinced, is one of the worst mistakes a preacher can fall into; tending most directly to stupify the consciences and harden the hearts of the ungodly, and to strengthen their hands that they should not return from their evil way; and, in proportion, discouraging the heart of the humble, broken, contrite believer. Would we be as God's mouth, let us learn to distinguish between the precious and the vile."3 66 THE OFFENCE OF THE CROSS CEASING." "LEAVE out the holy character of God, the holy excellence of his law, the holy condemnation to which transgressors are doomed, the holy love 1 See Life, p. 650. (668.) (210, 213, 687.) * Ibid; pp. 205, 208, 668. 3 Jer. xv. 19. liness of the Saviour's character, the holy nature of redemption, the holy tendency of Christ's doctrine, and the holy tempers and conduct of all true believers: then dress up a scheme of religion of this unholy sort: represent mankind as in a pitiable condition, rather through misfortune than by crime: speak much of Christ's bleeding love to them, of his agonies in the garden and on the cross; without showing the need or the nature of the satisfaction for sin : speak of his present glory, and of his compassion for poor sinners; of the freeness with which he dispenses pardons; of the privileges which believers enjoy here, and of the happiness and glory reserved for them hereafter: clog this with nothing about regeneration and sanctification, or represent holiness as somewhat else than conformity to the holy character and law of God: and you make up a plausible gospel, calculated to humour the pride, soothe the consciences, engage the hearts, and raise the affections of natural men, who love nobody but themselves. And now no wonder if this gospel (which has nothing in it affronting, offensive, or unpalatable, but is perfectly suited to the carnal unhumbled sinner, and helps him to quiet his conscience, dismiss his fears, and encourage his hopes,) incur no opposition among ignorant persons, who inquire not into the reason of things; meet with a hearty welcome, and make numbers of supposed converts, who live and die as full as they can hold of joy and confidence, without any fears or conflicts. Its success perhaps may cause it to be cried up as the only way of preaching for usefulness: while all discourse concerning the being, |