THE ABSOLUTE DOMINION among.infide!s and pagans, much more evidently of the saving re- ligion of Christians. He that dare say he believeth not this, will never, sure, have the face to call himself a Christian. ''Is it not'a matter of most sad consideration, that ever so manymillion§ should think to be saved by a doctrine which they believe not, orbya reli- gion that never went deeperr than the brain,'and is Openly contra- dicted by the tenor of their lives? Is a true religion enough to save you, if you be not true to that religion ? How do men make shift to quiet their consciences in such gross hypocrisy? Is there a-man to be-fòund in this congregation that will not confess that he is rightfully his Redeemer's? But hash he indeed their hearts, their time, their 'strength, and their interest? Follow some of them from morning to night, and you shall not hear one serious word for Christ, nor' see any serious endeavors for his interest; and yet men will profess that they are his. How sad a case is it, that men's own confessions should condemn them, and that which they called their religion should judge them to that 'everlasting misery which they thought it would have saved them from ! And how glorious would theChristian religion appear if men were true to it ; if Christ's doctrine had its full impression on their hearts, and were expressed in theirlives ! Is he not anexcellent person that deriieth himself, and doth all for God?. that goeth on no businessbut God's? that searcheth out God's interest in every part of his calling add' employment; and intendeth that, "whether he eat or drink, or whatever he Both, Both all to the glory of God;" (1 Con x. "33.) that can say, as Paul, " I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not' I, but Christ liveth in m'e ? " (Gá1. ii. 20.) and "What things were gain to rite, those I counted loss for Christ: yea, doubtless, and .I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus myLord, for whom I have suffered theloss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ ? " (Phil. üi.`7, 8.) and "Forme to live is Christ, and todie is gain ? " Phil.,i. 21. Perhaps you think that the degree of these examples is inimitable by us; but I am sure all that will be saved must imitate them in the truth. 12. Self-seeking is self-losing, and delivering 'up yourself, and all you have, to God, is the only way to save yourselves and to secure all. The more you 'are his, the more you are your'own in- deed; and the more you deliver to him, and expend for him, the greater is your gain. These paradoxes are familiar, tried truths to the true believer ; these are his daily food and exercise, which seem to others such scorpions, as they dare not touch, or such stones as they are not able to digest. He knoweth that self-humbling is the true self-exalting, and self-exalting is the infallibleway to be brought low ; Luke xiv. 11. and xviii. 14. Matt. xxiii. 12. He be
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