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alienated as long as they continue disobedient. So that to say unto Christ, Lord, Lord, and not to do the will of his Father, is to contradict the Father's design in sending his Son into the world, and to set aside the purpose of the Son, in making an atonement for lost and sinful man. "He died unto sin,"

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that we might "live unto righteousness." And therefore the first message of the Gospel was, "Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." "Cease to do evil; learn to do well." Mortify your members which are upon the earth," renounce "the works of the flesh :" "live after the Spirit," in righteousness, and godliness, and charity. "For this is the will of God, even our sanctification:" and whoever calls upon the Lord Jesus in the spirit of true and genuine faith, must make it the business of his life to fulfil this will: to watch against every departure from it, to seek for higher measures of grace, that he may daily approach nearer to it, and "go on unto perfection."

But even in the earliest days, we read of those who like Simon the magician, were more willing to possess christian gifts, than to follow christian practices who desired the privileges, without the conditions; and spoke of "continuing in sin, that grace might abound." All such have a solemn warning.

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22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you : depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

5 Acts viii. 18.

6 Rom. vi. 1.

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We can easily understand how one might prophesy, i. e. preach or teach in the name of Jesus, and yet be none of his; their "hearts going after their covetousness," even whilst they were outwardly proclaiming the words of righteousness and truth. We know too that the Lord has made use of instruments such as Balaam, who have uttered the words which he has put into their mouth, whilst their hearts were far from him. But we are startled to hear that men might cast out devils, and do many wonderful works, and yet not be true disciples of him in whose name they were acting. St. Paul, however, saw no such difficulty: for he says, Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing." Therefore the gift of tongues and the gifts of healing might be granted for the special purpose of making the gospel known, whilst the hearts of those who exercised these powers had never joined themselves to the Lord Jesus "in a perpetual covenant," and were yet in an unconverted state. We know, for instance, that Judas was unconverted. Yet there is no reason to suppose that when Jesus sent forth his apostles to proclaim his coming, he withheld from Judas the powers which he gave to others. He said to him as to the rest, "Heal the sick, cast out devils." Yet would he say to him at last, I never knew thee. The true sign of his favour is taught us here. Not outward qualifications, but inward holiness. Not a

7 Ezek. xxxiii. 31.

9 1 Cor. xiii. 2.

8 Numb. xxii. 18.

1 Ch. x. 8.

gifted head, but a tender heart. We admire activity, and energy, and splendid talents: they may be useful, they may even be employed in the service of God, and help to carry out his purposes: yet they may exist without "the spirit of Christ:" and "the spirit of Christ," manifested by its fruits, is the true test by which his disciples are discerned: neither will he acknowledge those who pretending to be bis, "walk after the flesh," and are not "turned from their iniquities."

Indeed this sentence offers a solemn consideration to all who belong to the visible church, and "profess and call themselves Christians." We all say unto Christ, Lord, Lord. We bow at the name of Jesus in his name we offer our petitions, and claim his mediation. And we do well: for there is no other access to the Father, but by Him. The other part remains, that we do the will of his Father. Otherwise our profession is vain, and "we are yet in our sins." They are the Lord's own words; Depart from me, I never knew you, ye workers of iniquity. "The Lord knoweth them that are his." 3 But they that are his, "walk religiously in good works" and whoever worketh iniquity, is known to him indeed, fatally known, as Judas was known, to be "a son of perdition:" but he is not known as one who has been redeemed by his blood, renewed by his grace, and preserved by his love, that he may be "presented faultless" before the throne of God.5 For "they that are Christ's," and are known by him as his people, have "crucified the flesh with the 3 2 Tim. ii. 19. See Jude 24.

2 Rom. viii. 9.

4 John xvii. 12.

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affections and lusts." 6 And this is their seal: "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity."7

LECTURE XXXIV.

THE TRUE FOUNDATION.

MATT. vii. 24-29.

24. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock :

25. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27. And the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell and great was the fall of it.

The similitude in this passage is every way exact. Men build a house, looking to future time. And they look to future time, when they "take the yoke of Christ" upon them. They are in life, nay, in health, and in strength; but they look to the time of weakness, and of age, and of death,

6 Gal. v. 24.

7 2 Tim. ii. 20.

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and of judgment; and against that season they lay a foundation and provide a refuge.

Neither is it enough, to lay a slight and inadequate foundation, and build what they may design to be a refuge. The man is called wise, who builds on a sure foundation, and lays it on a rock. Will a builder say, that because it is calm weather, or low water when he builds, he will neglect his foundation, and place his house on the sandy shore? For a while indeed it might stand; just as while a man is well, or prosperous, or busy, he may feel no alarm, be sensible of no danger, and find no want of a just title to religious confidence. But the house which stood secure while all was calm, rocks and totters when the storms arise. All within is hurry, confusion, and alarm. So it is with the man who heareth these sayings, and doeth them not : who has named the name of Christ, and said unto him, Lord, Lord, but has not made the gospel his rule of life, nor been zealous to do the will of his Father which is in heaven. Such nominal religion is a sandy foundation, which will neither stand in the hour of death, nor in the day of judgment. It will not stand in the hour of death: for a man will feel reminded then of what he had before forgotten, that "without holiness no man can see the Lord;" that the Saviour condemned those who "called him Master and Lord," and "did not the things which he said."1 Neither will it stand in the day of judgment for Christ has himself declared, that he will reply to such as trusted in their church to save them, and in their christian name to save them, and showed

1 John xiii. 13.

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