120 BELIEVERS IN CHRIST AS NOAH IN THE ARK, [SERM.

lieved the sure testimony of God, both respecting the deluge, and the appointed method of preservation; he feared the impending judgment, and revered the justice and power of God; and thus he was moved to follow the directions he had received. To prepare the ark was a vast undertaking; his labour and expence must have been exceedingly great, and his per severance, amidst the scorn and hatred of an unbeliev ing world, most exemplary. But when the deluge came, he was found in the ark, and preserved to be the progenitor of a new race of men; and even of the promised Redeemer, on whom doubtless his faith had ultimately been placed: while all the rest of the human species, however distinguished, or to whatever refuges they fled, were swept away with one common desolation. Thus the sinner, hearing of " the wrath of "God revealed from heaven against all ungodliness " and unrighteousness of men," believing the divine record is moved with fear," and takes warning to flee from the wrath to come. He hears also of Christ, the true ark, which God himself hath provided; and renouncing all other confidences, by faith he betakes himself to this sure refuge, applies for admission into' the ark, and endures the self-denial, contempt, and persecution to which this may expose him. And whatever difficulties he may now encounter, his wisdom will be acknowledged, and his felicity envied, when no unbeliever shall find any shelter from the overwhelming deluge of divine vengeance, which perhaps he now despises or blasphemes.

Under the Mosaic dispensation, the guiltless man-slayer was exposed to the sword of the avenger of blood, the

VIOR THE MAN-SLAYER IN THE CITY OF REFUGE. 121

nearest relation of the deceased: but cities of refuge were provided, to which he might flee for security. In this perilous situation an Israelite had no choice: he must scarcely turn back to take his clothes, and by no means go home to bid farewell to his dearest rela tives: he must leave all his outward comforts, employ ments, and interests: he must flee without delay, and hardly stop for necessary refreshment: he must not yield to indolence, or sit down when weary; and could never think of loitering, to interfere with other men's business, to view curiosities, or to join in vain diversions. With all speed he must urge his course to the city of refuge; as if he had seen the avenger of blood with his drawn sword close behind, and heard him uttering most dreadful menaces. When he had gained the appointed asylum, he was required to abide there, at a distance from all his connections, those excepted' who chose to follow him; and this restriction continued, till the death of the high-priest set him at liberty from his confinement.

t

In like manner, the sinner, perceiving himself exposed to the wrath of God, and the curse of his violated law, must flee for refuge to lay hold on

the hope set before him" in the gospel. Without delay he must diligently use all the means of grace,' and separate from the vain pursuits and pleasures of an unbelieving world. He must not give "sleep to "his eyes or slumber to his eye-lids; but flee as a "bird from the snare of the fowler, and as a roe from "the hand of the hunter." He must work out "his own salvation with fear and trembling," and earnestly apply to Christ for an interest in his atone

122

THE PRIVILIGES OF BELIEVERS IN CHRIST. 2 [SERM.

ment; knowing that if death should overtake him, before he be made a partaker of this blessing, the avenging justice of God will prove the ruin of his immortal soul. And when he hath obtained a good hope of his acceptance, he must still keep close to his refuge; renouncing the society of all those, that refuse to join with him in his new course of life: remembering that" if any man love father, or mother, "wife or children, more than Christ, he cannot be " his disciple."

Thus the true believer is in Christ, as in the city of refuge and if we do not wish to deceive ourselves, we may know whether our experience, conduct, and confidence bear any resemblance to this representation; and whether we desire to join the apostle in saying, "Yea doubtless, I count all things but loss, for the "excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my "Lord :-I count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law; but that which "is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness "which is of God by faith."

66

He, that is thus united unto the Lord Jesus is finally delivered from condemnation; all his sins are blotted out, and buried in the depths of the sea; Being justified by faith he hath peace with God;" to whom being reconciled when an enemy by the "death of his Son, he shall be saved by his life.” He is admitted into a covenant of friendship with the everlasting God, and adopted into his family as a son and heir. "All things shall work together for his

• Phil. iii. 8, 9.

VI.]

EVERY BELIEVER A NEW CREATURE.

128

good," and "nothing shall separate him from the "love of Christ." All the promises without exception belong to him, and shall be fulfilled in due season and order; "for," says the apostle, "all things are "your's, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's." -We consider, then,

II. The apostle's account of that inward change, "He is every real christian has experienced.

which

"

"If any man be in Christ," whether he were before a Jew or a gentile; whether he were moral, civil, learned, ingenious, devout, zealous, or superstitious and enthusiastical, a sceptical reasoner, or a scoffing infidel; when he becomes a Christian," he is a new creature."" We are his workmanship, "created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God "hath before ordained that we should walk in them." "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth "any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature1." What are we then to understand by these energetic expressions?-Will any sensible man maintain, that a new creed or name may properly be called a new creation? Will he affirm that nothing more was meant, than a decent moral conduct, or an external reformation? Does this amount to any thing more, than the cleansing of the outside, while the heart re mains full of polluting affections? And let it be remembered, that such frigid interpretations are merely the word of man; for "the word of God is "quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged "sword; piercing even to the dividing asunder of * Gal. vi. 15. Eph. ii. 10.

124 NEW CREATURES THE SAME IN SOME RESPECTS. [SERM.

"soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and "is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the "heart"."

It is, however, proper to observe, that he, who is a new creature, continues in many respects the same as before. His body, with all its members and senses, is the same; though he finds himself disposed to make a new use of them: his soul and all his faculties are the same, though his judgment,inclinations, and affections are entirely changed. He possesses his former measure of capacity and learning; with the peculiarity of his genius, and the original complexion of his mind. The man of enlarged powers does not lose that superiority of talent; while he is content to be thought a fool for Christ's sake, to seek wisdom from him with the teachableness of a little child, and to devote all his endowments to the glory of the Giver. The man of slender abilities and illiterate education makes no advances in learning or ingenuity, except as he becomes of "good understanding in the way of godliness." No alteration takes place in a person's relative situation or rank in society: he can claim no additional civil immunities or advancement, when he is in Christ a new creature: nor does he forfeit any of his rights; though persecution may deprive him of them, and love of Christ make him willing to renounce them.In general he abides in his calling, if lawful; but endeavours to fill it up in a new manner.

What then is especially intended?-Here again the scripture assists our enquiry by apt illustrations." Ye "were," were," says the apostle, "the servants of sin, but "ye obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine, Jer. xxiii. 29. Heb. iv. 12.