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PASTOR OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, MILFORD, CONN.

THE LIGHT OF CHRISTIAN PIETY.

"Holding forth the word of life."-PHILIPPIANS ii. 16.

THIS passage has reference to Christians. They are represented "as shining like lights in the world," and are exhorted to "hold forth the word of life." There may be an allusion here to lighthouses. Christians are designed to be, to those who are on the rough treacherous sea of life, what light-houses are to mariners: to warn them off from the rocks of temptation and sin, to keep them from making wreck of their souls, and to guide them to the desired haven. "Holding forth the word of life." The subject naturally divides itself into three branches: I. The life here spoken of; II. The propriety of the phrase "word of life," as applied to the gospel; and III. The mode in which this life is to be held forth by Christians.

1. The life here spoken of. It is not that life which scarce deserves the name, animal life, temporal life; a life limited to but a few days, and a life full of trouble. The gospel was not given to remove all evils incident to the present state, or to confer an immortality of existence here upon the earth. It contemplates something higher and nobler-the life of the soul. The life then here meant, is spiritual life. Men are naturally dead, "dead in trespasses and sins." When our first parents plucked the forbidden fruit, they not only died, but were the occasion of death in all their posterity. "In Adam all die." By his fall, depravity has pervaded the human race. All are born spiritually dead, and must be born again; all are born spiritually dead, and to be

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THE NATIONAL PREACHER.

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saved must be made spiritually alive. Spiritual life implies a conviction of the fact of spiritual death-the creation of a new heart and the renewing of a right spirit; and the existence of this life is manifested by a delight in God and the things of God. The life also of the text is a life of perfect blessedness. Spiritual life being the life of the soul, it goes along with the soul when the body is dropped; and such is the nature of this life, that in the presence of the Lord in heaven its possessor has full enjoyment. The future state of him who is endued with spiritual life in this world is one of pure and unmingled happiness. He there ceases from the toil, fatigue and trouble of his earthly pilgrimage; is made free from the bondage of sin; is no more tempted, terrified, or deceived; is united to the spirits of the just, to angels, to Jesus and to God, and has an eternal weight of glory. This life is likewise a life of endless advancement. The faculties of the soul, spiritually alive, are invigorated and exalted by constant renewal. They expand and receive fresh energy as ages roll away, and hence are enabled to comprehend more and more of the Divine character and government, and to penetrate farther and farther into the unfathomable depths of redeeming love! Such, briefly, is the life here spoken of: "Holding forth the word of life." We pass,

II. To the propriety of this phrase, "word of life," as applied

to the GOSPEL.

1. We observe that there is a marked propriety in it, because the gospel publishes the way in which this life may be obtained. The gospel is the only source from which information on this subject is derived. Previous to its promulgation, "darkness covered the earth, and gross darkness the people." All mankind alienated from a life superior to rational, the life of God, and lying under the power of moral death, none could say how they might "pass from death unto life." It remained for Christ to declare the way in his gospel. "I am come," said he, "a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." He proclaimed the mode in which it might be obtained, and inspired apostles to record this mode, and transmit it to us. He applied the key to this great mystery, hidden from ages and generations, unlocked it and made it plain. He sheathed the flaming sword which turned every way to keep the way of the tree of life, and opened the medium of access to its quickening fruits. Now all is level to the humble capacity of a child. He who runs may read the gospel, and, though dead unto divine things, be made alive unto God, through Jesus Christ. From these pages we learn, that when Jehovah might have poured out the vial of incensed wrath upon our guilty race, opened the armory of heaven

and planted its artillery against us, that, amazing grace! he sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. "God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotton Son, that whosoever believeth in him might not perish, but have everlasting life." This life flows to us from the wounded side of the holy Sufferer. He who penitently embraces him who hung on Calvary, has by this union a current of immortal life rolled in upon his soul. "He who hath the Son, hath life." This the gospel tells us; this blessed truth it discloses, and hence is called "the word of life." Well may we exclaim with Simon Peter," Lord, to whom shall we go but unto thee? Thou hast the words of eternal life."

2. Again: It is the gospel which unfolds the excellency of this life. It not only reveals to us the life, but sets before us its value. It shows us that it is a remedy for death; that he who has it not is dead while he liveth, and must soon die to all hope and happiness for ever; while he who possesses it "is made perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God to all eternity." It meets the inquirer, "Who can show me any good?" and shows him that what he wants as a fallen, yet immortal creature, is this life of the soul. The gospel embosoms what the necessities of man demand. Here is pardon for guilt, sanctification for corruption, justification for condemnation; here is found peace of conscience, defense from danger, and the joys of the Holy Ghost. All this is wrapped up in the word of life; all this the gospel unfolds to make its value appreciated, and to urge the wisdom of cordially receiving it.

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3. Again: The gospel is the word of life, not only because it publishes the mode in which this life may be obtained, and exhibits its inestimable excellence, but because it actually produces life. There is no life without it, and there is life with it. My words," says the Saviour," they are spirit, and they are life." This is the grand peculiarity of the gospel: it makes itself felt. Other narratives, other treatises on morals, can only come before the mind; they have not power so to act upon the mind as to compel assent. Not so the gospel there goes along with it a divine influence, which when put forth is irresistible. This influence is called "the spirit of Christ," as the word is called "the word of Christ;" and when the two are combined, as Christ is willing they should be, and often causes them to be, then is the gospel quick and powerful," and "like the fire and like the hammer, it breaketh the heart of rock in pieces;" then is it "mighty to the pulling down of strongholds." As we have said, there is no life without the gospel. Go where you will, and, so you find not the gospel there, you find not life there. One dreary, uniform death broods over the entire region. Its inhabitants are but as corpses, so far as spiritual life is concerned. 'How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?"

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