302 A RATIONAL DEFENCE OP THE GOSPEL. TSERM. JiVIL. called christians, whose lives are vicious ? Surely, they never knew this gospel in truth ; they are but false pro- fessors of it. There are thousands that can bear this witness to the gospel, that it has changed their hearts ; it has renewed their natures ; it has made them hate every vice, and their lives shine amongst men glorious in holiness, and resembling God himself. Are the senti- ments ofsome of them different from others ? It is chiefly in points of lesser importance; but the substantial truths of it, which are the power of God to salvation, are pro- fessed and acknowledged by us all. And though a thou- sand should forsake this gospel, and become apostates, yet I can'never part with it, while I feel the blessed effects of it abiding upon my heart, and I trust, through the grace of God, they shall abide for ever." This leads me to the last inference. IV Inference. What strong engagements is every true christian under to maintain the profession of this gospel ? Not only is he laid under many obligations from the commands of God, and the bonds of duty, and grati- tude, and love, but he has a constant pressing obligation within him. " How can I be ashamed of my hope, my portion, my everlasting all ? Shall I be ashamed of that gospel, upon which my salvation is founded, and my best and highest interest, even my expectations of end- less felicity ? If I let go this faith, if I lose my hold of this gospel, I let go my hold of Christ, of God, and his love ; I let go my hold of heaven, and all my happiness : My sins all. return upon me with their unsuf erabl'e loads of guilt and anguish of conscience, if I lose my faith in this gospel; for all my hope of pardon is built upon this foundation : heaven with the joys of it vanish from my soul, if I part with this glorious gospel of Christ, and death and hell face me with all their terrors." There is an awful and solemn motive derived from the great judgment-day to maintain the profession of this glorious gospel; for our Lord himself has pronounced this threatening, and he will fulfil it, Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words amongst a sinful genera- tion ofmen, Iwill also be ashamedof him before my Fa- ther andhis holy angels. But this text shall be the sub- ject ofsome future discourses.
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