i% INJWARD wiTnESS TO CHRISTIANITY: myexpectations are, they are built do a due apprehension of file justice of God, as well as his mercy ; I have no hopes of pardon by Jesus Christ, butwhat are supposed by. the righteousness and truthof God, as well as his goodness ; for in this way of salvation offended justice is satisfied to the full, and mercy can exert itself in full glory, without the least dishonour orreflection on the strict righteousness of God. God is just in the justification ofa sinner this way; He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness; 1 .loltn i. P; Besides, says the christian, the change wrought in me is real, and not imaginary ; i am quite another creature than once I was: theseveral powers of my nature, that were wont to be in perpetual war, now enjoy a peaceful harmony, and my soul feels the pleasure; and the divine peace. My strictest and severest reason approves the change, andowns it tobedivine. And thus I am led onward to speak of the other part of eternal life; ,and that is holiness. This also isfoundin believing souls, and becomes an evidence of the truth of the gospel. Holiness may be described by these five necessary ingredi cots of it. 1. An aversionto andhatred of all sin. -2. A contempt of the presentworld, in comparison of the future:---3. A delight in the worship and society of God.---1. Zeal and activity in his service.--5. A hearty love to fellow-creatures, and more especi- ally to fello` -saints. I shall discourse of each of these particularly, and shewthat eternal life consists in them, and this eternal life is found in believers. Holiness consists in an aversion to, and hatred of all sins This is complete in heaven, and without this, heaven cannot be complete. into heaven there entereth nothing that defileth; 11ev. xxi. 27. Every inhabitant there is completely averse to all iniquity, and testes every thing that displeases God ; for nothing but perfect obedience is found there; the spirits of the just are there made perfect; Heb. iii. 23. Now this in a measure and degree is found in, believers here, for he that abideth in Christ sánneth not; 1 John iii. 6. He cannot sinwith a full purpose of heart; he that is born of God cannot sin with constancy and gree- diness, as others do that are only born of flesh and blood; he cannot sin without an inward sincere reluctancy, without the combat of the spirit against the flesh; he doth not make a trade' of sin, sinning is not his business, his delight and pleasure. ' This is a blessed testimony of the truth of the gospel, that faith in the Son of God purifies the heart; Acts xv. 9. Every christian has an aversion to all sin : Ifhe chases some sins, to continue in them, and hates other iniquities, hecannever
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