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the washing of water by the word; that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish"?" Do we then strive to live in a manner worthy of our high vocation? We "name the name of Christ:" we profess ourselves to be Christians: we have been incorporated into the body of Christ : do we 66 depart from iniquity?" do we "abstain from fornication?" do we put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts?" do we "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit?" do we "put away from us all filthy and foolish talking and jesting which are not convenient," not agreeable to the purity of the Christian character; not suffering "such things to be once named amongst us, as becometh saints P?" More than this; do we bear in mind that we are called, not only "from uncleanness," but " unto holiness?" Do we then endeavour so to live, that men

n

Eph. v. 25, 26, 27.

• 2 Tim. ii. 19.

r Eph.

v. 3, 4.

may see the purity of our lives, and glorify our heavenly Father, and give honour to that holy name of Christ, whereby we are called? Do we follow his commandments, which require us to be "holy in all manner of conversation?" Do we imitate the example of Him, who is gone to prepare a place for us; and having this hope," do we endeavour to "purify ourselves even as he is pure"?"

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Lastly, do we cherish that gift of the Holy Ghost, which he has given us and shed abroad in our hearts, as "a pearl of great price;" as more precious than rubies or fine gold ;" as "sweeter to us than honey or the honey-comb?" Do we fear to "vex" him by our hardness of heart, to "resist❞ him through the perverseness of our wills, to "grieve" him by any uncleanness? Do we humbly and submissively follow where he leads? Do we dutifully obey his will revealed to us in his holy word? Do we comply with his secret motions in our hearts, being then assured

that we are wrought upon by his gracious influence, when we "feel him mortifying the works of the flesh and our earthly, members, and lifting up our souls to high and heavenly things?" "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them members of an harlot? God forbid." "Know ye not, that your body is the temple of God, even of the Holy Ghost, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? Will you then defile" by any uncleanness" the temple of God, which temple ye are ?" My brethren, "flee fornication. If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy. Let no man deceive himself: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God on the children of disobedience; be not ye therefore like unto them." But be ye holy; as it becometh the servants of a holy God, inhabited by the Spirit of Holiness. Be ye righteous; as it becometh them, who" are not their own; for ye are bought with a price, therefore glorify God

1 Cor. vi. 15. t1 Cor. iii. 16, 17.

in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's"." Be ye pure; not in deed only and in word, but in thoughts and desires; in the inward, as well as in the outward man; in the affections of the heart, and in the spirit of the mind; that so continually striving to "perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord," ye may go on from strength to strength; until ye finally arrive at that " salvation, to which God hath from the beginning chosen" the faithful followers of his Son "through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth ; whereunto he hath called us by his Gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ"."

u

" 1 Cor. vi. 20.

* 2 Cor. vii. 1.

y 2 Thess. ii.

13, 14.

SERMON XX.

THE DANGER AND SINFULNESS OF COVEOTUSNESS EXEMPLIFIED IN AHAB.

1 KINGS xxi. 4.

And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

IT is wisely and mercifully provided by almighty God in the rules, which he hath been pleased to enact for the regulation of our moral conduct, that attention should be paid to the first motions and beginnings of sin. Thus for the security of every man's person, we are commanded to refrain, not only from the act of murder,