There is a dreadful "corruption in the world through luft" [The defires of men are altogether vitiated The indulgence of them produces much corruption in the world-] But God's people "efcape" this corruption [They are not free from all fin But they do not live under the allowed dominion of anyThey flee from temptation with fear and trembling— This is the defcription given of the faints at Sardis And this is the univerfal operation of true religion -] They efcape it through the operation of the promises [They have not in themfelves a power to keep themfelves pure But God promifes " grace fufficient " They therefore truft in his promifes, and plead them in prayer In fo doing, they experience their cleanfing efficacyHence St. Paul urges the promifes not merely as a motive to holiness, but as the means of attaining it "-] INFER 1. How foolish are they who neglect Chrift! [Chrift is the perfon in whom all the promifes are ratified and confirmed -] Nor can we be interested in one promife, unlefs we be united to Chrift What madnefs then is it to neglect that bleffed Saviour!What unfpeakable bleflings do the thoughtless world defpife!- Let us "awake from our fleep, and arife from the dead"Let us feek Chrift with our whole hearts P-] All things are ours, if we be his P 2. How mistaken are they who feek for holinefs merely in a way of mortification, or in the exercife of their own powers! [Many feek long after holinefs without attaining itThe reafon of this is, that they do not feek it in God's appointed way God has given them promifes by which they may be made holy But they are afraid to embrace them till they can see themfelves holy Thus PI Cor. iii, 22, 23~~ Rev. iii. 4. . 2 Cor. i, 20. Jam. i. 27. n 2 Cor. vii. 1. Thus do they, in fact, reverse the appointment of God himfelf Let fuch, however, fubmit to God's method of imparting a divine nature Let them embrace the promises as finners, that they may become faints-] 3. How highly privileged are the people of God! [Whatever is needful for them, in time or eternity, is fecured- For their confolation God has confirmed his promifes with an oath And all of them ean, like Solomon, atteft his fidelity Let them therefore treafure up his promifes in their heartsLet them do this for advancement in holinefs as well as comfort Thus thall they be enabled to fay with David '— And in due feafon fhall that most precious of all the pro-. mifes be fulfilled"] 1 Pet. ii. 11, 12. Dearly beloved, I befeech you, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lufis, which war against the foul; having your converfation honest among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may, by your good works which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of vifitation. THE privileges of a fincere Chriftian are exceeding great And the poffeffion of them is fecured to him by God himfelf His fecurity however does not fuperfede the need of watchfulness On the contrary he is called to a continual warfareHe needs therefore to be frequently reminded of his duty Hence a 1 Pet. i. 5. Hence Peter, having fet forth the honours and privileges of God's people, proceeds to prefs upon them the practice of holinefs We propofe to explain and enforce the apoftle's exhortation I. Explain The manner in which it is introduced is worthy of notice [A concern for the fouls of men is characteristic of a pious minifter Paul and John were eminent patterns in this respect - Peter exemplifies it in the paflage before us- He unites the tenderness of a father with the fidelity of an apoftle-] The first part of it refpects their "abftinence from flefhly lufts [Impurity, intemperance, floth, &c. are fleshly lufts— Nor can any abstain from them without much prayer and vigilance-] This is enforced by two very important confiderations They deftroy its dignity, its peace, its liberty, its falvationThis fhould make us extremely careful to abstain from them-] The latter part of the exhortation refpects pofitive holiness [The Chriftians were fcattered through the Gentile world Their conduct therefore would be watched with a jealous eye On this account the apostle cautions them with respect to the whole of their deportment He exhorts them to maintain an honourable conduct in all things-] A very powerful motive is fuggefted to confirm this alfo men [Chriftians were univerfally reprefented as the worft of b1 Theff. iii. 8. 3 John 4. Pf. xxxix. 12. Heb. xl. 13. It fhews the folly of the Epicurean fyftem, 1 Cor. xv. 32. An 1 Cor. iv. 13. An unbecoming conduct in them would have confirmed this prejudice But a blameless converfation might conciliate efteem- tors It would do fo if God at the fame time fhould vifit them with his mercy f In this cafe it would cause them to glorify God This confideration might well operate as a motive to holinefs- St. Peter elsewhere urges it in this very light &] II. Enforce Chriftians, however advanced, have need of this exhortation We therefore would address it to you with all earnestnefs We would not however forget the affection and tendernefs due to you— First then we beseech you to abftain from fiefhly lufts [Who amongst you is free from their baneful influence? Who does not fee that abftinence from them is neceffary? Guard then against their firft rifings in the heart Beg of God that you may have grace to mortify them all We intreat you to confider 1. Your prefent ftate and condition in the world [You are here only as "ftrangers and pilgrims"You profefs to be feeking" a city that hath foundations" You do not take up your reft in an inn, when on a journey- Do not then retard your progrefs heaven-wards by fenfual gratifications-] us? 2. The dreadful tendency of fleshly lufts [Who has not experienced the mifery they bring upon Who does not know the confequence of indulging them?Let this thought make you flee from them with abhorrence-] We further befeech you to maintain an honourable converfation [A few holy actions or difpofitions will not fuffice Religion muft operate uniformly and univerfally Let "the day of vifitation: See Luke 1 Pet. iii. 1. Let the whole of your converfation therefore be blamelefsh Nor need you defpair of walking thus if you depend on Chrift For confider The tendency of fuch a life to remove prejudice [The world is as ready to fpeak evil of Chriftians as ever Nor will they regard your conduct in the church or clofet They will enquire how you fill up your relative duties- of it [Certainly many would be hardened by mifcondu& on your part On the contrary, fome may be won by your good converfation At all events God will be glorified by means of your good works Let this ftimulate you to unwearied watchfulness and care-] h Phil. ii. 15. i Phil. iv. 13. 1 Pet. ii. 15. & iii. 16. XXXV. DIRECTIONS HOW TO HEAR SERMONS. Luke viii. 18. Take heed how ye hear. THE office of a Chriftian minifter is arduons-- After all his labours, he will fee but little fruitsHowever faithfully he preach, there are but few who will hear aright This our Lord had just declared in the parable of the fower He then enforced his declaration with this moft important caution- In difcourfing upon which, we fall I. Affign fome reafons for the caution Our |