YE E alfo, as lively Stones, are (or be ye) built up a spiritual House, an holy Prieft-hood, to offer up fpiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jefus Chrift. 1 Pet. ii. 5. How mortified, how holy is the Life of a true Chriftian! It ought to be a continual Sacrifice, and to have at the fame Time the Holinefs of a Temple by Purity of Heart: The Holiness of a Prieft, who defpifes the Earth, and has God alone for his Portion. It belongs only to Jefus Chrift to fanctify this Temple, to confecrate this Prieft, and to facrifice and offer up this Victim. My gracious God I own thy Right To him who for my Ranfom dy'd; Nor could untainted Eden give Such Blifs as bloffoms at his Side. His Work my hoary Age fhall blefs, When youthful Vigour is no more, And my laft Hour of Life confefs His Love and animating Power. W Herefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold I lay in Zion a chief Corner Stone, elect, precious, and he that believeth on Him fhall not be confounded (or deceived.) 1 Pet. ii. 6. The Faith which never deceives is not fuch as is barren and without Works, but a practical Faith, which fubjects the Heart to the Gofpel, and to the Ways of Jefus Chrift, and makes us obedient to all his Commandments. Floods of Temptation beat in vain, When Storms of Wrath around prevail, While they that fcorn this precious CHRIST is a Rock of Offence to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient, 1 Pet. ii. 8. What Advantage is it to a Chriftian to diftinguifh himself from the Jews, by Faith in Chrift, if the Humility of his Gospel, and the falutary Rigors of the Chriftian Truths, become to him, thro' the Hardness of his own Heart, no other than Occafions of Sin? It is an Inftance of Mercy, not to be abandoned to fuch an Hardnefs, wherein God might justly leave us. Break in Pieces, Lord, all the Remainders of it in me. Go worship at Immanuel's Feet, He is a Rock: How firm he proves ? AND he (Paul) fell to the Earth, and heard a Voice, faying unto him, Saul, Saul, why perfecuteft thou me?--- And he faid, who art thou, Lord? And the Lord faid, I am Jefus whom thou perfecuteft: It is hard for thee to kick against the Pricks, Acts ix. 4. 5. Obferve here several Degrees in the Converfion of a Sinner. 1. He begins, by not being deaf to the Reproaches of his own Conscience, and to the Strokes of the divine Rod. 2. He seeks to know Jefus Chrift the true Mediator. 3. He becomes fenfible of his, own Sin. 4. He begins to be afraid; for fince it is God himself who is offended, fince it is his Saviour who is perfecuted, what ought he not to fear? 5. But then, fince the Mercy of that God is infinite, and the Grace of that Saviour almighty, what may he not justly hope. To the World and Satan fold, Then behold the heavenly Lamb, HAving your Conversation honeft among the Gentiles. That whereas (or wherein) they speak against you as Evil Doers, they may, by your good Works, which they fhall behold, glorify God in the Day of Vifitation, 1 Pet. ii. 12, Let us with fo much the more Care avoid giving Offence to worldly Men: the more they are difpofed to believe Ill, the lefs they are apt to excufe it, and the more inclined they are to turn the Vices of particular Men against Religion in general. Evil-fpeaking is the Life of the World: Piety is the most expofed thereto, because it most condemns its Maxims Where God vifits an Heart by his Grace, what Changes does he make in it? perhaps the Moment of this Vifitation is just approaching for this Libertine; and thy good Example ought to be fubfervient thereto. Those Eyes which it shall enlighten, will then behold, with Joy and Admiration, that which they before looked upon with Abhorrence. Where Satan reign'd in Shades of night, While the wide World effeems it ftrange, The Gospel ftrikes a heavenly Light, Gaze and admire, and hate the Change: Our Lufts its wond'rous Power controuls May but this Grace my Soul renew, And calms the Rage of angry Souls. Let Sinners gaze and hate me too; Lions, and Beafts of favage Name, The Word that faves me does engage Put on the Nature of the Lamb, A fure Defence from all their Rage. |