Middletown transcript., 1873-10-04


hsrmonizc with each other aud with the
divine pcrf.ctions. The otjecc,hercfore
Of divine revelation is one, aud tho. truth
declared is enc.
God hss given us record and requires
that VIC believe it. 1t is then Of tho ut
mos, importance that we ascertain what Is
the record that God hath given; for on
this depends the salvation Of our immortal
souls.
The discussion Of our text will direct us
in our inquiry And this is tho record
that God hath given to us eternal life, and
this life is in his Son" In the prosecu.
,ion Of our subject We propose to consider:
lst, The nature and properties Of the
life spoken Of in the text; and
I'd. Ascertain in whom this life is to
be found
|. LIE, us consider and explain the na.
,ure and properties Of the life spoken Of in
the text. "All that a man hath will he
give for his life." was the assertion Of Sa-
tan 10 the Almighty when he wished per-
mission to atilct the upright Job with
bodily disease. Natural life is truly n
very great blessing. and ought to bo val
ued as such by all who enjoy il. Aud OBJ
servution and experience prove that men
in general will freely part with all their
earthly possessions rather than be deprived
If their temp Iornl existence. This love Of
life hns great influence, not only On the
conduct Of the human family but is also
conspicuous in all inferior animal creation
Ii natural life 10 so great a blessing,
how much greater must be spiritual life
If the life aud health. OF tho body are so
desirable; and If We are willing to make
such great sacrifices to possess these
blessings. how ought We to desire the
life Of our souls. which are mere infinite.
~ more valuable than our bodies Of clay
As our souls are much more valua.
blc than our bodies the eternal happiness
Of those souls mus, be the most interest.
ing and important subject that can en-.
gage our attention and justly demands
10 be srtiously examined and thoroughly
understood,
The phrase eternal life" is applied to
our Lard. because he is the source and
ciycr OF IL. as i'll the 2Uth verse of ihi.
chapter. This Is The true God aud e,cr-
nal life. and. again. lst John, |, =,
'Eor the life was manifested aud We have
seen it. and bear witness aud show unto
you that eternal life which was with the
Father and was manifested unto US =
But the words 'eterusl life more ire
qucn,ly denote the grace Of God in the
soul, or in the glory and happiness of the
saints in heaven. These two. grace and
glory, are insepaiably CONNECTED The
possession of the former leads 70 tho en-
joyment of the latter.
Let US then enquire what is the nature
OF eternal life. AS possessed by the be-
lever in this world Eternal life is a
very comprehensive term. embracing
within it all the principles. actions and
affections Of the renewed soul. We can
only, therefore. at present. call your Mt
tcntion to some of the leading aud mos,
importan, particulars which constitute the
spiritual life of the believer in Christ.
ls,. The first constituent part Of etcr.
nal life is regeneration, or the quiekening
Of the soul that was dead in iresspnsses
and sins and the communication Of holy
principles. by the influence Of the Holy
Spirit,
Man. BY nature. is alicnated from the
life Of God. lie is totally destitute OF
that holiness of heart which is the spring
Of spiritual actions. and. consequently,
unable 10 render that obedience to the
holy law Of God, which is required OF
every intelligent creature. In this state
Of spiritual death the sinner continues.
until he is made alive by the grace OF
: God, and new nature communicated BY
the operation of the Hsly Ghost The
manner in which the spirit of God works
on the soul and produces that change OF
nature of which We nre speaking, is n
mystery to US. As long as our souls
/ dwell in these houses Of clay. we shall be
: unable to explain or comprehend the way
in which one spirit acts on another so as
, TO produce perception and voltioH. W,
, must especially. therefore. remain igno.
i rant of the way in which in, Spirit ol
God influences tho soul Of the sinner
a We know, however. that God can ac,
+ on the soul in manner unkno wn TO Us
and We also know tina. he does thus act
, from the visible effects which fow from
, regeneration.
Regeneration manifcs 9 itself in The
( spiritual knowledge which is communca.
= Iled to the soul. He is enabled to discor,
, or the glory Of God as seen in his holi
. ness, justice. goodness and grace II,
e perceises that God is SO infinitely hol,
e that he cannot look upon sin, and will By
c no means clear the guilty; TINT he is SC
9 perfectly just N to reward with life those
who obey his law. and punish with death
a every transgrcssor, that his goodness il
: so great as to extend to all tho works o.
: his hauds, and render him worthy Of onl
: supreme affection; and especially the re-
. neued sinner sees tho grace Of God se
] gloriously displayed In tho gospel. tha,
o his soul Is 6lled with praise. and lost il
admiration.
With these nav discoveries Of tho char.
scter Of God. the soul also obtains correct
| annrehnnainna of tho untura and maliouit,