us; whether we say, it is imputed, imparted, or inherent; whether we afsert, that it is born with us into the world, or that it is communicated to our fouls at some future period of life ? Let us only be sure, that we have it, and are acting under its influences, and then we need not dispute about the name. Is it paying less reverence and homage to CHRIST, to declare, that I know and feel, that I have his Righteoufness, that is, his Righteous Spirit, temper and disposition, in my heart, than to say, I have it by imputation? "CHRIST " is made unto us Wisdom, and Righ"teousness, and Sanctification, and Re" demption." If I have CHRIST in me, I have all these: and a man may talk of imputation, or talk of an inherent CHRIST as much as he pleases; but he must be a stranger to all real Communion with his God and SA VIOUR, till he partakes of the Same Life, and has "the Same Mind in " him, that was also in CHRIST JESUS." Wherever, therefore, I find this " mind," temper and disposition, let it be in an Heathen or a Christian, let his notions and opinions be ever so different from mine, I pray God, that I may be enabled to revere and love him-and revere and love him I certainly shall, if "CHRIST is in me of a Truth." I conclude, then, with the excellent admonition in the 21st verse, which, after what hath been already faid, I need not enlarge upon : “Wherefore, lay apart all filthiness " and superfluity of naughtiness :" that is, turn from all the gross imaginations, evil defires, and superabundant pollutions, of your earthly and diabolical nature; "and receive with Meekness the "Ingrafted WORD, which is able to VOL. II. G " fave "save your fouls." This Ingrafted WORD, as I have already observed, is no other, than "CHRIST in us the Hope of Glory." Our Salvation depends upon this inward turning to this inward Redeemer, and Meekness is the infallible criterion of the fincerity of our converfion: for it implies a deep sensibility of our own nothingness, and a total and implicit resignation of ourselves, of all that we are, and all that we have, to the POWER OF GOD IN CHRIST. DISCOURSE DISCOURSE VI. ON THE EPISTLE FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. St. JAMES, CHAP. i. from VER. 22, to the End. G2 |