*"Thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself, for thou that judgest doest the same things." And this truth which our common sense points out to us, is confirmed by the word of God: it declares, "that by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." And the Psalmist acknowledges the same truth, when he prays, "enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified." We all profess to be in Christ Jesus, but have we all ceased to walk after the flesh, and are we now walking after the spirit? let us examine ourselves by that simple rule, which the word of God gives us, when it tells us, §" they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the spirit the things of the spirit:" but those who find themselves walking after the flesh, may be led to enquire, why is the strictness of the law thus set before us?-why is it thus proved, that the truth, justice, and holiness of God, are all engaged to condemn *Romans, ii. 1. + Galatians, ii. 16. us? Is it that we may be thrown into despair? Yes, my brethren, it is, that you may be thrown into despair-that you may despair of saving youselves by the works of the law-that you may despair of being saved in your sins and that you may fly for refuge from the wrath to come; to the full, and free salvation of the Gospel. Come ye sinners poor and wretched; The Lord Jesus" came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." He came not to call the fulfillers of the law, but the breakers of the law to repentance he came to call us all to repentance; for we are all breakers of the law, and if we obey this call of mercy-if we repent and believe the Gospel, we shall be delivered from the condemnation of the law we shall be delivered from the power of sin, and be enabled to bring forth "the fruit of the spirit, which is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth." But so long as we neglect that great salvation, which the love of God * Matthew, ix. 13. Ephesians, v. 9. has provided for us, his wrath is abiding on us, and we are hastening to destruction. I would therefore again entreat you, to examine yourselves by that short and simple rule before mentioned; "they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the spirit the things of the spirit." Now to him that is of power, to establish you according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ; to God only wise be glory, through Jesus Christ, for ever. Amen. SERMON II. "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil."-MATTHEW iv. 1. WE are told in the epistle to the Hebrews, that "we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." This alone, should be sufficient to convince us, that our Saviour was tempted by Satan, and that he overcame the temptation, and remained without sin. But we have also, the history of his temptation and his victory, which, under the divine blessing, may be made most useful to us, as we may learn from it the artful devices of the great enemy of our souls and by what means we may repulse his assaults. For still +" as a roaring lion he walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." In our Christian warfare, "we wrestle not against flesh and *Heb. iv. 15. † 1 Peter, v. 8. Ephes. vi. 12. blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." We have a powerful enemy to contend with, for that mysterious and evil being, who endeavours to ruin our immortal souls, is called a prince, *"the prince of this world," +"the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." And since we dwell in the territory of this formidable enemy, it ought surely to be the great business of our lives to fortify ourselves against him, and to learn by what means we may repel his attacks, and make him fly before us, according to that direction in God's word. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." Let us now, my brethren, endeavour to learn a lesson in this spiritual warfare, from the history of our Saviour's temptation for in that, as well as in every other part of his life, he left us an example that we should follow his steps. In the chapter preceding that from which our text is selected; the baptism of our Lord is thus described. * John, xiv. 30. "SThen + Ephes. ii. 2. § Matt. iii. 13 to 17. |