It is the fleshly lust of every child of man, Mark vii. 21, 22. It is too often associated with the profession of religion, Ezek. xxxiii. 32. 1 Cor. v. 11. Nay, it is sometimes the hateful spot upon the garment of God's own children, Is. Îvii. It is discoverable 17. By discontent with our present comforts, 17, 18. 1 Kings xxi. 4. By an over-reaching anxiety for worldly advantages, Gen. xiii. 10, 11. Jos. vii. 21. 2 Kings v. 20. By a satisfying confidence in worldly possessions, 19. Job xxxi. 24, 25. Hab. ii. 9. By stifling conscience for worldly ends, Num. xxii. 18-21. 2 Pet. ii. 15. By want of sincerity in Christian profession, John xii. 4-6. Acts v. 1, 2. By resistance to the strict requirements of the Gospel, Matt. xix. 22. Luke xvi. 13, 14. The guilt of covetousness is shewn As a false ground of glorying, Jer. ix. 23. As an idolatrous denial of God, Job As the path-way of eternal ruin, 1 Cor. vi. 10. 1 Tim. vi. 9, 10. The By power of this principle will be successfully resisted, Considering the vanity of earthly things, (Text.) Prov. xxiii. 5. Eccl. ii. 8—11; v. 11. 1 Cor. vii. 29-31. The true portion of the cross. 1 Tim. vi. 17. Heb. xi. 24-26. The realized apprehension of the Saviour, Gal. vi. 14. The influence of spiritual mortification, Earnest watchfulness and prayer, xxi. 34. Ps. cxix. 36, 37. Prov. xxx. 8, 9. Simple dependence upon the Providence of God, Matt. vi. 25-34. Heb. xiii. 5. The recollection of the nearness of eternity, Phil. iv. 5. What estimate does the low estate of Christ and his apostles teach me to put upon the things of this world? Matt. viii. 20. John i. 10. 1 Cor. iv. 11, 12. Do I manifest an habitual, literal, and selfdenying consideration of others? xvi. 9. 1 Tim. vi. 18, 19. Do I know the blessedness of contentment with a little of this world's goods? Phil. iv. 11. 1 Tim. vi. 6-8. Could I welcome any bereaving Providence as an enriching blessing to my soul? Job i. Heb. x. 34. 21. XIV. 1 JOHN ii. 15. Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. The love of God and of the world cannot rule together in the same heart. One must be uppermost. Matt. vi. 24. Jam, iv. 4. If you would know whether the world rules in your heart, ask yourself such questions as these Do I yield to vain and worldly thoughts? Do I allow myself in worldly conversation? 1 John iv. 5. If you desire to know whether the love of God rules, Enquire, Is communion with God desired? Ps. xlii. 1, 2. Are his sabbaths and ordinances prized? Ps. xlii. 4; lxxxiv. Is. lviii. 13, 14. Is his word my daily food and delight? Job xxiii. 12. Ps. cxix. 97, 103. Jer. 16. XV. Are his people my chosen companions? Ps. xvi. 3; cxix. 63, 79. whole heart given to him? 2 Chron. Is my xv. 12, 15. Ps. lxxiii. 25. Am I longing to live in his presence for Rev. iii. 12; xxii. 4. Remember, victory over the world is ob tained, By the power of the cross of Christ, Gal. vi. 14. Phil. iii. 7, 8. By the exercise of a living faith, 1 John v. 4, 5. The principles of the love of the Father are His free choice and love of us, iv. 19. The work of the Holy Spirit on the heart, XV. MARK vi. 12. And they went out, and preached that men should repent. Repentance is a distinguishing grace of the man of God. He cannot know himself to be a sinner without deep shame and humiliation of soul. What have I done? What have I neglected to do? The first sign of spiritual life is an awakéned sense of sin. Therefore the ministers of Christ" and preach that men should repent." I. Mark the necessity of repentance, go out, As saving from deserved punishment, As a means of forgiveness, Job xxxiii. 27, 28. Luke xxiv. 47. Acts ii. 38; iii. 19; v. 31. |