or- 306 THE ABSOLUTE lips, from whence the saints do fetch their life. I will show you some surer signs than these. 1. And; first, let me a little inquire into your subjection to Christ. Do you remember the time when you were the servants of sin, and when Satan led you captive at his will, and the prince of darkness ruled in your souls, and all within you was in a carnal peace ? Do you remember when the Spirit in the word came powerfully upon your hearts, and bound Satan, and cast him out, and answered all your reasonings, and conquered all your camal wisdom, and brought you from darkness to light, and front the power of Satan to God? Acts xxvi. 18. Or, at least, are you sure that now you live not under the same lord and laws as the ungodly do? Hath. Christ now the only sovereignty in your souls? Is his word thy law, which thou darest not pass? Doth it bind thy thoughts, and rule thy tongue, and command thyself, and all thou hast? Hast thou laid all down at the feet of Christ, and resigned thyself and all to his will, and devoted all to his disposal and service ? If custom bid thee curse and swear, and Christ for- bid thee, which dost thou obey? If thy appetite bid thee take thy cups, or fare deliciously every day ; if thy company bid thee play the good fellow, or scorn the godly; if thy covetousness bid thee love the world, and Christ forbid thee, which dost thou obey ? If Christ bid thee be holy, and walk precisely, and be violent for heaven, and strive to enter in, and the world and the flesh be ene- mies to all this, and cry it down as tedious folly, which dost thou obey? Dost thou daily and spiritually worship him in private, and in thy family, and teach thy children and servants to fear the Lord ? I entreat you, sirs, deal truly in answering these ques- tions : never manwas saved by the bare title of a Christian. If you are not subject to Christ, you are not Christians, no more than a picture or a carcass is a man ; and your salvation will be such as your Christianity is. Subjection is an essential part of thy faith, and obedience is its fruit. In short, then, dost thou make him thy fear, and tremble at his word ? Dare thou run upon fire or water, sword, or cannon, rather than willfully run upon his displeasure? Wouldest thou rather displease thy dearest friend, the greatest prince, or thine own flesh, than wittingly provoke him? When Christ speaks against thy sweetest sin, thy nature, or custom, or credit, or life, against thy rooted opinions; or thy corrupt tradi- tions, art thou willing to submit to all that he revealeth ? Dost thou say, " Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth ? Lord, what wouldest thou have me to do ? I am ready to do thy will, O God." Beloved hearers, this is the frame of every servant of Christ, and this is the acknowledging and accepting him for your Lord.
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