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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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banner of the gospel , and adorned and recommended it by his disposition and daily conduct . It is indeed a description , not of a good though imperfect Christian , nor of a sinner insen"sible to every serious impression , whose conscience is seared as with a hot iron , " but of a licentious Jew under
the law , convinced of sin and in the agonies of remorse , lamenting his sad state , and not knowing what to do to break : the galling chains by which he is bound . The apostle then represents him as becoming acquainted with the gospel . He perceives it to be in every respect suited to his melancholy circumstances . Hear the sad
complaint he was making : * ' O wretched man that I am , who shall deliver me from this body of death , " this body of sin that worfceth death ? Who shall enable me to break my bonds of slavery , to gain spiritual freedomf and to govern my sensual appetites and passions ? Who shall deliver me from the
condemnation to which 1 am now liable , abolish death An my behalf , and animate me with a well-founded hope of everlasting life ? Who shall do this for me ? Thanks , ardent and eternal thanks to thy grace , Heavenly Father , God of mercy , I perceive that thou hast done it by Jesus Christ and his gospel .
That the apostle hi the character he draws in the 7 th chapter could not mean himself ( though he uses the personal pronoun 1 ) , is evident from the contrast to it , which he presents in the next chapter . This is decisive of the point . " There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are
in Christ Jesus , who walk , not after the flesh , but afttt the spirit" The person on the contrary previously introduced , Walked after the flesh , hurried away by the force of his sensual passions , his mind or spirit at the
same time earnestly remonstrating agaitist his folly , which occasioned a tumult arid disorder in his breast , resembling the troubled sea tvhen agitated by a violent storm . How different is it with th £ true Christian
who feds the vital power of religion , purifying his heart by ita holy principles , governing his appetites and affections , directing hfe will . to the choice of vtfltatis good , aud influencing evfcrv pxtt of fate eottdUct bdth iti public And private j And what fr the
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result of this self-government ? Not the inward agitations , remonstrances and terrors before described , but that " peace of mind which the world can neither give nor take away . '' The best of Christians itideed have reason
to lament their failings and imperfections 5 but if it be not the prevailing wish and endeavour of a man to know arid do the will of God , and if his general conduct do not correspond with the precepts of the
gospel , he has no right to lay claim to its gracious promises . It is not , however * uncommon for Christian professors of a certain class in giving an account of their religious experience , to adopt this supposed language of the apostle *
" It is , I trust , my wish to be a child of God , but alas I find as St . Paul did , that I am carnal , sold under sin , that when I would do good evil is present with me ; the good that I would I do not , but the evil which I would not ,
that I do . " Many , I doubt not , use this language without due consideration , whose hearts are pure , and whose conduct is irreproachable . If it be however really descriptive of any one ' s condition who adopts it , it may be replied , « Is it so indeed with
you , my friend ? Then 1 am sorry for you * You are an object of commiseration , for be assured you have much to correct and much to acquire , before you can be ranked among- the genuine disciples of Christ , and be qualified for the sacred services and pure pleasures of the heavenly kingdom . "
It is of unspeakable importance to the cause of practical religion , that its professors should entertain correct sentiments of the proper standard of Christian virtue , such as is furnished by the precepts and example of Jesus , whom thev call their Master . Let
them fix high for themselves th ^ point of moral perfection , aiming daily to get nearer to it . They will not then content themselves with mean attainments in piety and goodness .
They Will itt this respect act on the maxim of th £ Koman conqueror , to think nothing done , whilst any thing remains to be . done . * tf&tre those persons , however , that indtive for progressive virtue , who suppose the ~ . 4 m Ht «¦»¦; » - i ' ' *¦ »¦ nMUf y ^ - tf Mj ; * .. , 1 ,. U * IVJl actum reputana , si tfuW MQ 6 tmtt agendum . ¦ . ¦
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Biblical Criticism .- —Character drawn by Paul * Ram * vff * © 31
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1818, page 631, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2481/page/31/
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