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ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

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5. We must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. When we believe, we are both pardoned and renewed. "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name; which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Faith brings the blessing down. That moment in which we receive Jesus as he is held forth in the gospel, we are born again. O let us try to believe! The power to believe is a gift of God; but believing is an act of man. Let us exert the power which God has given, and we shall be saved. "Whosoever believeth (with a living faith) that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God."

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The Conduct and End of Enoch.

SERMON XI.

GEN. V. 24.

And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

THE account of men before the flood presents a malancholy picture of human nature. There was indeed a pious Seth, in whose day men began to call upon the name of the Lord; but they were soon corrupted by the female descendants of Cain, who are called the daughters of men. There was also a pious Enoch, who" walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” Let us consider, first, the conduct of Enoch; and, secondly, his end.

I. THE CONDUCT OF ENOCH.

Enoch walked with God in the way of pure and undefiled religion. To walk with God implies friendship, purity, and obedi

ence.

1. To walk with God implies friendship. "Can two walk together except they be

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agreed?" We endeavour to avoid the company of men whom we do not esteem. We carefully shun our enemies; but we love to walk with friends. Friendship implies mutual love; and there is a mutual love between God and good men. "We love him, because he first loved us." Enoch enjoyed friendship with God, through the promised Deliverer; for a throne of grace was set up for guilty man, when God said to the serpent, "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Friendship with God, through Jesus Christ, is one of the greatest blessings that man can enjoy. It is the way to substantial happiness, and to everlasting honour. But, how amazing it is that the most high God should stoop so low as to make a worm his friend! What honour this confers upon the creatures! What abundant cause have the friends of God to unite in blessing and praising his holy name! O be careful to preserve friendship with God, and then you may say with David, "I will not be afraid of ten thousand of the people, that have set themselves against me round about!"

2. To walk with God implies purity. God is perfectly holy; and he cannot walk with the unholy. "This is the message which we have heard of him, and declare

unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth." Sinners are said to be afar off from God; but saints are brought nigh. Deeply impressed with this subject, David said, "Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee." Evil can no more abide in the presence of God, than darkness can abide in the presence of the sun; so that it is extremely absurd to think of walking with God in a state of impurity. It must be allowed, however, that evil may remain in some good men, who walk with God; but let it be carefully observed, that evil is not predominant in their hearts. It is under the control of grace, and they may be called holy, because holiness is the principle that predominates in them. They direct all to God: they love him at all times; and they honour him in all things. "Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." They are both inwardly and outwardly pure; and if evil remain in any degree, it is their grief and burden, and they are earnestly seeking a full conformity to the image of God, knowing that this state is attainable before death.

3. To walk with God implies obedience. Enoch had this testimony that he pleased

God. The holiness of his heart produced holiness in his life; and he walked with God in the discharge of every duty which God required. With steadiness and circumspection, he walked in truth, with a perfect heart, and did that which was good in the sight of God. Hezekiah walked thus in health and strength, and when sickness came upon him, he besought the Lord to remember it: "I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which was good in thy sight." The man who walks with God is humble. He makes no ostentatious shew of piety, but is found "serving the Lord with all humility of mind." He is resigned to the divine will, and is contented in every situation. Devotion is delightful to his soul; and he walks in all the ordinances of religion, using, honouring, and enjoying the means of grace. He retreats from the world, and all its frantic ways; and mixes with men only upon necessary occasions. When these occasions are over, he quickly returns to his God, and cleaves to him with full purpose of heart. He owns the authority of God, walks in an imitaption of God, and enjoys God as his portion. Let us persevere in this holy walking. In prosperity and in adversity, in honour and in disgrace, in life and in death, let us still

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