(p) We are reading the Bible from youth to old age-We are making a great deal of it. Many idolize it, and yet, if we judge by their fruits, we shall not see that they believe the book they read, at all. Their general works are in direct opposition to its teaching. The letter, if we trust to it, kills, but the spirit, and nothing but the spirit, can give us true life.-Shall we believe then that the letter-nay the best letter ever written—or engraven on earth, can bring us to know God. God, in goodness and mercy unto his own seed, confounds and rebukes their enemies by his voice from heaven, by his Divine and powerful Word, and puts a stop to their fury and rage. (q) There is a cogent energy in the voice of God above any other power: this persecutor was overcome thereby, and, of a furious persecutor of Christ in his members upon earth, in the spirit and power of the priests and rulers of that day, became a noble instrument for Christ and the glory of God, through those qualifications wrought in Him by the Spirit of Christ, which also attended Him in his ministry, whether in publishing the truths of the gospel revealed unto him, given him in charge, or in working of miracles, according to the dispensation of God in that age of the world. We may see therefore in this great instance, how soon the Lord can work so great a change in the hearts and understandings of mankind: but to witness a real change in ourselves, and the completion of it by the same power, is what all ought to wait for, and not rest contented in hearing what the Lord hath done for others, though we may firmly believe it. "Who art Thou, Lord, that I persecute?" I observe further upon this, that at that time the Son of God was exalted at the right hand of the eternal Majesty on high; glorified with the same glory that He had with the Father before all worlds, far above all principalities and powers, out of the reach of all persecution in Himself; yet we may see He takes the persecutions exercised upon those who believe in his Name on earth, and are born of the same immortal Power and Word of Life, as done unto Himself; for He is not ashamed to call them brethren. What great and glorious privileges then have they who The first thing therefore that we mortals must do, in order to this salvation, is, to believe in this Light, and the power that dwelleth therein, "For without faith it is impossible to please God," or to be born of this Light, or become a child of God, who is Light. This Faith is called the Faith of the operation of God, because it is raised in the heart by the mani.. festation of the Light and Power of the Spirit of Christ in the mind. (m) There the Scriptures testify that He is: "The Word is nigh thee, in thy heart, and "in thy mouth, that thou mayest hear it, and do it," and again, saith Christ of Himself; " I am the Light of the world, He that followeth me shall not abide in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life." 66 Again; we must believe in Him, and receive Him, as He is the word of God, and as He is God; for the Scriptures so testify of Him, "That in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the "Word was God. In Him was Life, and the Life was "the Light of men." So then the Evangelist plainly declares the Lord Jesus Christ to be the true God, manifested in the proper nature of man. Does the Evangelist therefore teach that the Divine nature was changed into the human? No! Or that the human nature was become the Divine nature? No, truly! but that the human nature, a reasonable soul, clothed with a human body, was assumed by the Divine Word, the Wisdom and Power of God. (n) And Jesus Christ, being the Eternal Son of God, is not made but begotten; neither was He made as he is man, with respect either to body or mind, but begotten by Divine Influence; and under this consideration, and by virtue of this union, the Lord Jesus Christ, as One with God, is properly and truly called |