hend, with all saints, "what is the breadth, "and length, and depth, and heighth of the "love of Christ, which passeth knowledge;" and this infinite love constrains him to yield a sincere, habitual, and filial obedience. Renewed in the spirit of his mind, he hates sin which he once loved, and loves holiness, which he once hated. Once his mind was enmity against God, and bent only upon fulfilling the desires of the flesh; but now he crucifies the flesh with its affections and lusts; endeavours to abstain even from all appearance of evil, and, in imitation of our blessed Lord, counts it as his meat and drink to do the will of his heavenly Father. He is "born of God," and you may easily see from his dispositions and deportment, that he is indeed a partaker of a divine nature. Observe his devout humility and reverence" I acknowledge my transgres"sions, and my sin is ever before me.". Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and "done this evil in thy sight." "Lord, "what is man that thou art mindful of "him? and the son of man, that thou vi"sitest him?" Listen to the delightful language of his grateful heart. Behold, "what manner of love the Father hath be

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"stowed upon us that we should be called "the sons of God!" "Bless the Lord, O

my soul, and all that is within me, bless "his holy name: bless the Lord, O my "soul, and forget not all his benefits, who

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forgiveth all thine iniquities; who heal"eth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy "life from destruction; who crowneth thee "with loving kindness and tender mercies." Witness his submissive behaviour when under the heavy pressure of affliction :—“ It "is the Lord," saith he, "let him do what "seemeth him good;" and " It is good, I

know, for me to be afflicted: before I was "afflicted, I went astray; but now I have

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kept thy word. Though afflicted, I need "not despond: God is with me; and though the fig-tree should not blossom,

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nor fruit be in the vines; though the la"bour of the olive should fail, and the fields

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yield no meat; though the flock should "be cut off from the fold, and there should "be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice "in the Lord: I will joy in the God of my "salvation." Observe, too, how he feels and acts towards his fellow-creatures.

He

puts away all envy, and wrath, and bitterness, and rejoices with them who do rejoice,

and weeps with them who weep.

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(says he,) we all are brethren, travelling

up through the same wilderness, and shall "soon come to the same end. Where"fore, then, should we fall out by the way? "Let us love and do good to one another "as we have opportunity-bearing one an"other's burdens; adding to each other's joys, and so fulfilling the law of Christ."

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But why multiply particulars? He is "born "of God," and his constant aim is to act a part becoming the dignity of his nature, and the magnificence of his hopes. He "adds to his faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temper"ance; and to temperance patience; and "to patience godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness, charity; and these things being in him and abounding, he is "neither barren nor unfruitful in the know"ledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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II. Such is the character here mentioned; let us next consider the opposition which, in maintaining his integrity, such a character is called to contend with and to conquer.-It is the opposition of the "world. He who is born of God overcom

eth the world. Ah! my friends, the very place of our reisdence is the scene of our danger. This very world, which ministers to our support, solicits our ruin. The world has always been, what it still is, an enemy to religion.-What brings "tempta❝tion and a snare?" The world. What "pierces men through with many sorrows," and "drowns them at last in destruction "and perdition ?" The things of the world. What seduced the young foolish prodigal from his Father's house into guilt, and disgrace, and starvation ?-The meretricious enchantments of the world. What made Demas forsake both the Apostle and the cause of Christ? The Apostle himself shall answer," Demas hath forsaken me, hav"ing loved the present world." What made Judas betray his Lord? The world: he coveted the favour of the Jews, and thirty pieces of silver. And what sent Dives to the torments of hell? The immersion of his mind in "the good things" of this world: therefore it was, that while Lazarus was comforted, he was tormented. Ah! what is it that still makes the multitude around us "depart from the living God?" What makes us all too negligent of "the things

"that belong to our peace?" What but the principles; the example; the business; the cares or the gratifications of this evil world. Hence it is emphatically said,"Know ye not that the friendship of "the world is enmity with God.-Who66 soever therefore will be a friend of the "world, is the enemy of God." He then who is a friend of God, he who is "born "of God," renounces, in some measure, the world. He is willing indeed to enjoy with moderation its gains and comforts; but he despises them all when they come into competition with his immortal interests. He rates at their due value the things that are seen and temporal; and as this is comparatively very low, he reserves his chief ardour for those things which are unseen and eternal. Give him but food and raiment here, and he learns therewith to be content. His desire and prayer is, that he may resemble the Apostle Paul: that like him he may be able to say with sincerity and truth" the world is crucified to me, "and I to the world." Thus does he deny himself, take up his cross and follow Christ. Yes, he is born of God, and he overcomes "the world."