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SERMON XX

Christ dwelling in the Saints; and the boundless dimensions of his Love to them.

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EPHESIANS iii. 14-19.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith ; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to com prehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, and that ye may be filled with all the fulness of God.'

THE Apostle, now in bonds, for the gospel, was concerned for his new converts in Ephesus, lest, disheartened by the persecutions which had befallen him, and which threatened them, they should turn away from the faith: He cautions them, that they faint not at his tribulations; and for their encouragement, he tells them, that he remembered them in his prayers, and bowed his knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ in their behalf. The things which he principally requested for them, are related in the words which have just been read; That they might be strengthened in the inner man-that Christ might dwell in their hearts-that they might be rooted and ground, ed in love-that they might comprehend the love of

Christ which passeth knowledge-and that they might be filled with all the fulness of God.

These things will be the subject of our present meditations. And while we contemplate the blessings which Paul sought for the Ephesians, let us seek the same for ourselves.

I. He prays, that "God would grant them, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.”

It was not bodily strength, civil power or worldly distinction, which the Apostle requested for these Christians; it was something far more desirable :It was the strength, which belongs to the inner manwhich comes from God's Spirit-which is granted according to the riches of his glory.

It was the grace of fortitude and patience, that they might persevere in religion, whatever dangers and difficulties should meet them. Thus our Apostle prays for the Colossians, "that they may be strengthened with all might, according to God's glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." Christians, weak in themselves, need the power of Christ to rest upon them. In the course of the religious life, they are exposed to dangerous temptations, exercised with great afflictions, and called to difficult services. In such cases they have peculiar need of strength in the inner man.

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We are to obtain this strength by bowing the knee to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." If it comes from his Spirit and from the riches of his glory, we must trust in him and look to him for it. That we may hope and ask with greater confidence, we should contemplate his wisdom, goodness, power and faithfulness, our past experience of his care and love, and especially his wonderful grace displayed in the gospel dispensation.

That we may obtain a supply of strength, we must watch over our hearts, shun known temptations, avoid

foreseen dangers, and mortify those lusts which war against the soul. And that we may know how to suit our prayers to our wants, we must be conversant with ourselves, and gain an intimate acquaintance with our spiritual state. The better we know ourselves, the better we can judge what to pray for, the more we shall abound in matter of prayer, and the more easily we shall pour out our hearts before God. Our barrenness and deadness in prayer are greatly owing to our ignorance of, and inattention to ourselves.

II. The next thing which Paul requests for the Ephesians is, that "Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith." The same sentiment he expresses in his exhortation to the Colossians. "As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him, built up in him, and established in the faith as ye have been taught."

The phrase of "Christ's being in us," is often used to express our conformity to him. He is then in us, when his word takes possession of our hearts and gov erns our lives; and when, having the same mind as was in him, we walk as he walked.

The phrase of "Christ's dwelling in us," imports constancy and perseverance. They only, in whom his word abides, are his real disciples.

As we become united to Christ by faith, so by faith he dwells in our hearts. "The just live by faith." That we may steadily maintain our obedience to his laws and our imitation of his character, we must walk

by faith in his grace and power. The Apostle says, "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life, which I live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."-" His word works effectually in them who believe."-" The word preached will not profit unless it be mixed with faith in them who hear it."

To judge whether we are accepted of God, we must inquire whether Christ dwells in us-whether we are conformed to his character, influenced by his doctrines, and governed by his precepts. The reality of our faith is best proved by our constancy in the love and practice of religion. It is not safe to conclude that we are justified unto life, before we have time to inquire whether Christ thus dwells in our hearts by faith. There is nothing more contrary to the instructions and cautions of the gospel, than strong and bold conclusions in our own favor, before we have the evidence which arises from the efficacy of faith in purifying the heart. It is the work of faith, the labor of love, the patience of hope, and the fruit of godly sorrow, which manifest the existence of these graces in the soul.

III. The Apostle prays, that the Ephesian Christians "may be rooted and grounded in love."

By love he doubtless intends love to Christ, who is the object mentioned immediately before and after. Love to Christ is one of the great principles of relig ion. If any man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, he is pronounced accursed. But grace is promised to them, who love him in sincerity.

This love is not merely an emotion of the heart on a view of the great things which Christ has done and suffered: It is a temper in the soul leading us to approve of him, delight in him, and cleave to him in his whole character, as a teacher, ruler and redeemer. It includes a love of his example, doctrines and precepts, as well as gratitude for his mediation, and rejoicing in the hope of his salvation,

True love to Christ is Supreme; it surpasses all earthly affections. He has said, "whosoever loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me." The genuine effect of this love is obedience. "If ye love me," says our Lord, "keep my commandments." "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I have commanded you." VOL. III.

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Where love to Christ reigns, there will be a hatred of sin and watchfulness against it. "They who are Christ's have crucified the flesh." There will be a high admiration of, and ready compliance with the way of salvation through him. The believer "counts all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, and suffers the loss of all things to win him." There will be a concern to promote his honor and interest in the world. Peter was to testify his love to

his Lord by feeding his flock.

Christians are to be "rooted and grounded in love." True love is rooted in the heart. It is an habitual temper discovering itself in the fruits of holiness. Where this love is rooted, there is an acquaintance with the religion of Christ, a settled belief of its divinity, and a high esteem of its excellence and importance; and this love will be accompanied with a steady resolution to abide in the doctrine of Christ, whatever dangers may attend it. He only who cleaves to the Lord with purpose of heart, can be said to be rooted and grounded in love.

Imagine not, that love to Christ is a mere sensitive affection, like that which we sometimes feel toward nat. ural objects; or that it is a transient emotion excited merely by a view of Christ, as a man suffering unjustly from the hands of cruel enemies; or only a delightful sensation arising from an apprehension of him as one who loves us and is ready to save us. Such feelings are no more than what wicked men may have under certain circumstances. They come far short of that love which the gospel requires. This is nothing less than a love of Christ's complete character-a love of his whole gospel-a love of the way in which salvation is offered. It is a holy temper corresponding with the holy nature of its object. It is a spiritual affection toward Christ viewed as a spiritual Saviour. Its fruits are love to good men-imitation of Christ's example obedience to his commands-attendance on his in

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