tion of the outward man; a washing and renewal by the Holy Ghost, as opposed to legal purifications these were to be the tokens of this pure and spiritual kingdom, and of our election to it. And hence it is that the Gospel is called "The Spirit ;" and the preaching of it "the ministration of the Spirit ;" namely, because it brings the law of God not merely to the outward eye inscribed on tables of stone, but to the inward mind, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God. And thus, to its disciples, though the law of rules and ordinances is abolished, yet they have still a law, a pure and moral law, within the mind. As St. Paul says, Rom. ii. 14, 15, "These" i. e. the Gentile Christians,* --"these, having not the law"-the written, outward one of Moses"are a law unto themselves: which show the work of the law"-the essence of its requirements" written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another." Brethren! have we this circumcision of the heart? that which is " in the spirit?” that which * Not Gentile heathen. See v. 26, 27, and evŋ in ch. xi. 13, and Eph. iii. 1; and compare Rom. viii. 3, 4; and 2 Cor. iii. 2, 3. brings every thought into subjection to the obedience of Christ? that which reduces our will into consistency with God's will? that which prompts and animates us to " fulfil the righteousness of the law," "to walk in the Spirit,' "to be led by the Spirit," "to mind the things of the Spirit ?" And are there those here, let me ask, who have not these marks of spirituality? who find not in themselves this Trust, this Fellowship, this Devotedness? Brethren! I pray you seek them! Seek them earnestly! Seek them quickly! Seek them in that only way in which they can be found! Remember, that these are all the gifts of the Spirit of God; and it is by the Spirit of God dwelling in us that we obtain and exercise them. And remember further that this Spirit himself is the gift of Christ the Son of God, to be received through faith in Him, to be enjoyed by embracing with the heart his Gospel! "Received ye the Spirit," says St. Paul," by the works of the law, or by the hearing of Faith?" He who repents him truly of his Sins past, stedfastly purposing to lead a new life; he who exercises a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ, with a thankful remembrance of his death; he enters into the partici tion of the outward man; a washing and renewal by the Holy Ghost, as opposed to legal purifications: these were to be the tokens of this pure and spiritual kingdom, and of our election to it. And hence it is that the Gospel is called "The Spirit ;" and the preaching of it "the ministration of the Spirit ;" namely, because it brings the law of God not merely to the outward eye inscribed on tables of stone, but to the inward mind, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God. And thus, to its disciples, though the law of rules and ordinances is abolished, yet they have still a law, a pure and moral law, within the mind. As St. Paul says, Rom. ii. 14, 15, "These"- i. e. the Gentile Christians,*--" these, having not the law"-the written, outward one of Moses"are a law unto themselves: which show the work of the law"-the essence of its require ments" written in their hearts, their con science also bearing witness, and their thought the mean while accusing or else excusing or another." Brethren! have we this circumcision of tl heart? that which is "in the spirit?" that whi * Not Gentile heathen. See v. 26, 27, and ɛvy in xi. 13, and Eph. iii. 1; and compare Rom. viii. 3, and 2 Cor. iii. 2, 3. 283 brings every thought into subjection to the obe- And are there those here, let me ask, who have not these marks of spirituality? who find in themselves this Trust, this Fellowship, Devotedness? Brethren! I pray you seek Seek them earnestly! Seek them quickreck them in that only way in which they bund! Remember, that these are all of the Spirit of God; and it is by the God dwelling in us that we obtain and hem. And remember further that this self is the gift of Christ the Son of 1:erceived through faith in Him, to be embracing with the heart his Gospel! e the Spirit," says St. Paul," by ✰ the law, or by the hearing of who repents him truly of his astly purposing to lead a new xercises a lively faith in God's rist, with a thankful rememAeath; he enters into the partici e lea you. detain pation of Christ himself; and thereby of the Spirit of Christ, i. e. the Spirit of God; and thereby of all the gifts and graces, all the holy confidence and communion, and devotedness, which that Spirit sheds abroad abundantly in those who believe. True Acquaintance with God is through Him alone who is the Image of God. "He that hath seen the Son hath seen the Father." And would you, Brethren, who have thus sought the Father, through the Son, obtain the increase of this sweet Acquaintance with your God? Would you have more than some sense of it? As it must at first be gained, so also must it be increased. As, to Jesus you must go for access to the Father, so, by a life in Jesus must you live in God and God in you. In proportion as "Christ dwells in your heart by faith," so will you be "strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man," and thus be "filled with all the fulness of God!" |