But here, as in many other places, they are ascribed to his resurrection-· His resurrection assured to us the acceptance of his sacrifice It is also a pledge and earnest of the resurrection of all his members Besides, it enables him both to intercede for us, and to send the Spirit to us→→ His Word and Spirit are, indeed, the more immediate instruments which God uses Yet more remotely may the Resurrection of Christ be considered as the instrumental cause of our regeneration—] The moving cause of it is his mercy [God has not respect to any goodness or merit in the creature He is actuated only by his own grace and "mercy"Of this the conversion of a soul is a marvellous displayIf the state of a converted person be compared with that of one unconverted, or of one that has perished, he will appear to have experienced "abundant mercy"-] They who have experienced this change are sure to possess at last the benefits connected with it II. The security of the regenerate Some even of the regenerate are ready to doubt whether God will bestow on them the inheritance they hope for Others fear they shall fall short of it through their own frailty But God has secured to them the full and everlasting enjoyment of it— The inheritance is "reserved for them” [Earthly inheritances may be taken away by fraud and violence Not even crowns or kingdoms can boast of any stabilityBut the saints' inheritance is in heaven There it is out of the reach of all enemies God himself keeps it for his people, as their unalienable right-] They also are kept for it [They are weak and helpless in themselves They are surrounded also with hosts of enemies But they commit themselves to God "by faith” In so doing they interest the power of God on their behalfGod keeps them according to his promise b Isai. xxvi. 3. Jer. xxxii. 40. God keeps them as in an impregnable garrison God keeps them unto their full and final salvation-] INFER 1. How happy are God's people here! [The change they have experienced in regeneration is truly blessed The prospects they enjoy are bright and glorious What then need they regard in this world? Surely they should rejoice, though in the midst of tribulations Let every one then, when encompassed with troubles of whatever kind, say, "Blessed be God, who hath begotten me again"-] 2. How happy will God's people ́soon be! [Their inheritance, though at a distance, is a consolation to them The very hope of it fills them with joy unspeakable It will do this, even under the heaviest afflictionsWhat sensations then will the full enjoyment of this inheritance excite! What joy will that be when it is without any alloy of sin or sorrow! But let us remember, that "we must be born again" in order to have any title to this inheritanced_ If we continue unregenerate, we shall inherit a far different portion But if we have really experienced the new birth, we are heirs of glory And the salvation reserved for us is "ready to be revealed" Let us then labour to secure this glorious inheritance--- e This seems to be the import of the word ggɣuivas. XLIII. THE GROUND OF GOD'S FINAL DECISION. Gal. vi. 7, 8. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. SIN and misery are often found to be nearly connected in this life Yet rewards and punishments are not always distributed according to man's actions The necessity therefore of a future state of retribution is obvious and undeniable This was discoverable in a measure by the light of reason But revelation establishes the certainty of such a state The inspired writers often urge the consideration of it as a motive to virtue St. Paul is stating to the Galatians the duty of providing liberally for their pastors He is aware that some might offer pleas and excuses for their neglect of this duty He knew that some might even pretend a prior and more sacred obligation— He therefore cautions them against self-deception, and reminds them that God will hereafter pass sentence on us according to the real quality of our actions I. It is in vain to hope for salvation while we live in a neg lect of religious duties It is common for men to offer pleas and excuses for their disregard of religion 1. That a life of religion is needless [They see the world in a state of wickedness They cannot believe that so many can be in danger of perishing They forget that the course of this world is just such as Satan would have it They recollect not our Lord's declaration respecting the broad and narrow way— They consider not that the care of the soul is the " thing needful"-] 2. That a life of religion is impracticable one [They hear what holiness of heart and life God requires of us They feel how unable they are of themselves to fulfil their duty They therefore conclude, that it is impossible to serve God aright a Mark vii. 11. ▸ Eph. ii. 2. e Matt. vii. 13, 14. At least they think that a religious life cannot consist with social duties But they forget that the grace of Christ is all-sufficient"— Non are they aware that that grace will stimulate us to every duty, whether civil or religious, social or personal-] Besides these, they substitute other things in the place of religion 1. Their good intentions [They purpose to amend their lives at some future pe riod They expect to find some "more convenient season" for repentance They hope that their good designs, though never executed, will be accepted-] 2. Their moral lives [They are guilty of no very enormous crimes They perform many commendable actions They hope that such a life, though they know nothing of contrition, of faith in Christ, of delight in God, &c. will procure them admission to heaven-] 3. Their profession of certain truths [Many receive the doctrines of Christianity as a system of truth They trust to the mere profession of these doctrines without experiencing their transforming efficacy Thus they substitute "the form of godliness for the power of it"-] But no pleas or pretences can deceive God [To attempt to deceive God is, in fact, to "mock" himIt is to insult him, as though he were too ignorant to discern, too indifferent to regard, or too weak to punish, hypocrisy But God cannot be deceived; nor will he be mocked-] Let none then deceive themselves with vain expectations II. Our final state will be exactly answerable to our present conduct Under the metaphor of a sower the text affords a striking discrimination of character Some" sow to the flesh" [To sow to the flesh, is to seek in the first place our carnal ease and interests This we may do notwithstanding we are free from gross sins Every one comes under this description who "sets his af fections on things below❞—] They whose life is so occupied will "reap corruption" [The present enjoyments they will have are both corrup tible and defiling The future recompence will be everlasting destruction— This is elsewhere affirmed in the plainest terms] Others" sow to the Spirit" [The Holy Spirit invariably inclines men to the love of God, and of holiness The new nature of the regenerate affects also spiritual objects and employments To sow to the Spirit therefore is to seek and delight in spiritual things-] They who do this will reap everlasting life [A life of devotedness to God can never issue in miseryGod has promised that it shall terminate in glory"—] Thus, not our pleas and pretences, but our life and conduct, will determine our eternal state [Our harvest will accord with the seed we sow These different ends are inseparable from the different meansh The punishment, however, will be as wages earned; the reward, as a gift bestowed-] INFER 1. What extreme folly is it to live regardless of God and our own souls! [No husbandman expects to reap wheat when he has sown only tares How absurd then to hope for heaven while we seek not after it! Let us be convinced of our folly, and learn wisdom even from the children of this world—] 2. How absurd would it be to be diverted from our duty by any difficulties we may meet with in the discharge of it! e This is evidently the import of corruption in this place; because it is opposed to everlasting life. It implies that state of soul which most corresponds with the corruption of the body. f Rom. viii. 13. g Rom. vi. 22. & viii. 13. i Rom. vi. 23. |