Page:Doctrine of the cross of Christ, stated and improved.pdf/22

 we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." Would we be excited to unfeigned and active love to the Author of our salvation?-We love him because he first loved us. Would we be excited to ingenuous sorrow for sin?-While we look to Him whom we have pierced, we mourn after a godly sort. Nothing is so likely to break the stony heart, and to melt the ice within us to evangelical repentance, as a view of a suffering Saviour, wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities. Would we be induced to a thorough renunciation of every false way?--No motive is so effectual to divorce our affections from the abominations to which we have formerly cleaved, and turn our feet from every evil way, as the powerful persuasion that Christ died for us; that we, being dead unto sin, should live unto righteousness Would we be induced to practice all that is comprehended in the duties of benevolence, kindness, charity. and brotherly love?---No persuasive so endearing as the kindness and love of God our Saviour: "Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and given himself for us."--To forgive one another, because God for Christ's sake hath forgiven them;--To liberality in alms-giving, because they know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for their sakes he became poor, that they through his poverty might be rich; To abstain from fornication, because their bodies are the members of Christ and the temple of the Holy Ghost;--To glorify God in their body and spirit which are God's because they are not their own, but bought with a price; and to be holy in all manner of conversation passing the time of their sojourning here in fear, for as much as they know that they were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.