was mighty and able to save to the uttermost, he would not fail to testify to the Divinity as well as to the humanity of the Redeemer, to show that he was one with the Father, as well as the brother of his people in glory, equal with the Fatherin majesty, coeternal. And the same record he would bear likewise of the Sanctifier: that they had no other than God to dwell in them, and to walk with them through all the perils of their pilgrimage. In addition to this, he would do his utmost that they should not lean to their own understanding or their own appetites in anything, or form any false or hurtful expectations in conformity to the corrupt bias of their natural minds; and therefore he would declare to them further, that God having raised up his Son Jesus, had sent him to bless them in one special way, and no other; namely, by turning away every one of them from his iniquities. So that their happiness must be sought and would be found, not in the indulgence of the desires of the flesh and of the mind, but in the denial and control and crossing of them. He would testify to the indispensable necessity not only of faith, but also of repentance and renewed obedience. He would not preach only of privileges to be received, he would insist equally on duties to be done; and though he would not speak of the privileges as merited or purchased by the required performances, he would show that the two could by no means be separated; that the unrighteous should not inherit the kingdom of God; that the wicked worketh a deceitful work; but that, on the other hand, to him that soweth righteousness there should be a sure reward. He would exhort them, therefore, to add to their faith virtue, and he would encourage them to hope in the promises, that blessed should be the pure in heart, because they should see God, and be raised from the dead at last to be before his throne for ever. I do not mean that Philip would use this exact method in his discourses, much less that what I have said is anything approaching to an abstract or epitome of that inexhaustible Word, one of whose praises is, that it cannot be epitomized; but, according to some method, he would assuredly deliver these truths among others. They would hold a prominent place in his addresses, and whatsoever else he added would be in conformity to them. But if so, a solid ground for joy and consolation to the hearers would be laid. And then, I add, there is the same foundation through the same Gospel to ourselves; I mean, to those of us who shall hear the Gospel with honest and humble minds. But this brings me to the second head proposed II. To consider the reception given to Philip's preaching by the Samaritans. "The people," it is said, "with one accord, gave heed unto those things which Philip spake." This includes several particulars. 1. First, they diligently and seriously attended to the word preached, were very careful to understand what was said to them, and to guard against misapprehension of their instructor's statements. But herein, all are not so ready as they ought to be to follow their example. Though they acknowledge that they are to live or die for ever, according as they shall or shall not take the Bible for the rule of their faith and practice, not a few still hear the word preached, as if they thought that their mere bodily presence in a church so many times in a year were a complete discharge of their duty, and a full participation in the privilege provided for them. Having heard, they trouble themselves no further; and though they certainly would not be satisfied without being sure that they had made themselves masters of the directions of any one who was to teach them a trade-when their immortal souls are at stake, all study and care of this kind seem quite unnecessary. But surely it would be most idle to expect that true comfort should be the result of such mockery as this. "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and under standeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away the seed which was sown in his heart. ""* 2. The Samaritans reflected and meditated upon the things which Philip spake, and earnestly considered them when the time of hearing was past. And "meditate upon these things, (saith St. Paul;) give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." ↑ (saith David) have I hid in might not sin against thee." died; that he is risen again, "Thy word my heart, that I That Christ hath and is at God's right hand to make intercession for his people; that hereafter he shall come again to judgment; that he has prepared a place for all who belong to him, that where he is, there they may be also ; -these, and the like, are truths to be fed upon continually in the heart by faith with thanksgiving. "The commandment is a lamp, and the law is light, and reproofs of instruction are the way of life." "When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou wakest, it shall talk with thee." § Gospel truths are indeed of such a nature, that they cannot but be continually recurring to the recollection, and forcing themselves upon the minds of such as have heard them honestly. * Matt. xiii. 19. +1 Tim. iv. 15. But if you hear often, and meditate not at all, it is clear you have not heard them honestly; and if you will not take care to have your stated and frequent periods at which you may studiously recall what you have heard, that you may actually ponder upon it for the ends of practice, there will be no comfortable sense of God's goodness abiding upon your minds, and no useful sense to stir you up to holy duties. But to you also the words of the prophet will be applicable. "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib, but Israel doth not know;" for people do not consider." * 66 my 3. The Samaritans, it is to be observed lastly, believed the word which Philip spake unto them, and " by works was their faith made perfect." Of this we may be sure: first, because it is the universal doctrine of Holy Scripture that without faith it is impossible to please God, or to come to him by Jesus Christ, and that faith without works is dead. And, secondly, because the behaviour of these Samaritans is specially recorded to their honour, and for our instruction, and is such behaviour as nothing but a living faith in the truths revealed to them could have produced. 66 There was a certain man called Simon, which heretofore in this same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that * Isa. i. 2. VOL. III. I |