EFFICACY OF THE GOSPEL.

BY REV. CHARLES SIMEO�,

2 Cor. X. 3 — 5. Though we ivalk in thejiesh, we do not iiar

after the flesh ; (for the weapons of our warfare are not

carnal, hut mighty through God to the puU'mg down of strong

holds ;J casting down imaginations, and every high thing that

exallelh itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing

into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ,

EVERY thing, however good, may be made to

appear in a disadvantageous light, if we choose to

put a perverse construction upon it: and the more

diligent any person is in approving himself to God,

the more must he expect to suffer from misrepresen-

tation and calumny. His humility will be called

superstition ; his zeal, ostentation ; his devotion,

enthusiasm; and his whole deportment, hypocrisy. �o

man ever laboured to do what was right more than

the apostle Paul; yet no man was ever more calum-

niated. There was no self-denial which he did not

exercise, no suffering which he did not cheerfully

endure, for the good of others : yet through the arti-

fices of false teachers, who sought to establish their

¦own influence on the ruins of his, every thing he did

became to him an occasion of reproach. There were

great disorders in the Corinthian Church, which he

sought to rectify. He in the first instance adopted

the mildest methods: when these were ineffectual,

he

598 1 CORI�THIA�S, X. 3—5. [998.

he threatened to exert his Apostohc authority: \vhen

still he could not prevail, he was extremely averse

to use the necessary severity; and forbore to do it,

in hopes that his lenity might conciliate their regards,

and reduce them to a willing obedience. But they

construed all this change of conduct as the result of

guile, or timidity. They considered him as influ-

enced by a view to his own carnal interests, and as

being unworthy of their respect in proportion as he

strove to merit it. Of this he complains in the pas-

sage before us. He assures his adversaries that,

though like other men he was still encompassed with

infirmities, he was not actuated by any considerations

of ease, or honour, or interest, but was intent on

mortifying every evil thought in himself, as well as

of checking it in them : and that, as he was impelled

by a sense of duty in the whole of his conduct to-

wards them, so, if his present kind intreaties should

be without effect, he was ready and determined to

exert his Apostolic authority in casting out of the

Church all obstinate offenders, and in inflicting on

them also, by his miraculous powers, some heavy

judgment.

This seems to be the import of the text as it stands

connected with the context. But if we divest it of

the peculiarities arising from the occasion, we shall

find in it a summary view of the effects produced by

the Gospel in the Apostle's own mind, and, through

his instrumentality, on the minds of others also. In

discoursing upon it we shall be led to shew,

I. The opposition which sinners make to God —

We might here lay open the actions of men, and

shew their contrariety to the commands of God.

But the text speaks of " imaginations and of high

things which exalt themselves," not merely against

the authority, but ** even against the knowledge, of

God." We must therefore mark the rebellion of men

as it shews itself in their " thoughts"' which serve

as " strong-holds" in which they are intrenched

and fortified, and by means of which they exclude

God from their hearts.

They

998.] EFKICACV OF THE GOSPEL. 599

They fortify themselves then,

1. By proud thoughts — •

[It is scarcely credible that such an insect as man should

exalt himself with such impious presumption in the presence

of his God. If we assert the authority of God, and vindicate

his claim to their hearts, they reply, like Pharaoh, " Who is

the Lord that I should obey his voice? I know not the Lord;

neither will I obey his voice"."]

2. By unbelieving thoughts —

[We declare what will certainly be the issue of the con-

test; and that, if they will not bow to the sceptre of his

grace, they shall be broken in pieces with a rod of iron ^ :

and that, if they will not have Christ to reign over them, he

will call forth his executioners to slay them before him*'. But

not one word of this will they believe. They deny that God

will ever execute his threatenings, or that they have any thing

to fear at his hands"*.]

3. By worldly thoughts — ¦

[When we summon them to surrender themselves up to

God, they tell us, that at some more convenient season they

may listen to us; but at present they are so occuj)ied with the

cares or pleasures of life, they cannot find leisure for such

concerns as these. To all our pressing invitations, they either

answer, more civilly, " I pray thee have me excused," or, more

rudely, " I cannot come"."]

4. By self-righteous thoughts —

[When they are driven, as it were, from their out-posts,

they raise interior fortifications with great zeal and industry :

they encompass themselves with " works of righteousness,"

and there insist upon stipulations and agreements with God.

They will pay him such a tribute ; they will perform such

services ; they will surrender up a portion of their hearts,

provided their old friends and allies may be permitted to re-

main unmolested in the remainder. The terms of the Gospel

are too humiliating for them : and rather than they will come

like Benluulad, trustiufr solely on the mercy of the king of

Israel '', they will die in the breach, and be buried in the

ruins of their citadel.]

5. By desponding thoughts —

[God's entrance into the heart is not unfrequently ob-

structed

• Exod. v. 2. See also Ps. xii. 1. it Jcr. xliv 16.

h Ps. ii. 9. '¦ Luke xix. 27.

"' Ps. xciv. 7. with Mai. ii. 17. ' Luke xiv. 18—20.

'2 Kin. XX. 31,32.

600 2 CORI�THIA�S, X. 3 5. [998.

structed by these, as much as by any other, thoughts what-

ever. And it is surprising to see with what obstinacy they

are defended. Sinners will even bring Scripture itself to sup-

port them against God, and to justify their rejection of his

proffered mercy. They are as studious to persuade them-

selves that " there is no hope" for them, as once they were

to assure themselves that there was no ground for fear^.]

But impregnable as these " strong-holds" appear,

God can " cast them down." To evince this, we

proceed to shew,

II. The means by which God overcomes them —

God in this warfare does not make use of " carnal

weapons" —

[The sword of the civil Magistrate is not wanted in it,

It may indeed be properly used to suppress any evils which

injure society, and to protect the godly in the free enjoyment

of religious liberty '' : But it must not be put forth to propa-

gate the truth'''*. Let Mahometans 1)athe their swords in

blood, and Papists kindle their fires, to make proselytes to

their religion ; but God abhors such measures ; and has de-

clared, that " they who take the sword shall perish with the

sword'."

�either are his servants to call in artifice to their aid. They

are indeed, in some sense, to " become all things to all men,

that by all means they may save some'':" but they are not to

make any sinful compliances : they are to stand upon their

own ground : they must " have their conversation in the world,

not with fleshly wisdom, but with simplicity and godly since-

rity';" they must not attempt to exercise craft, or to " catch

men by guile*";" but, " renouncing the hidden things of dis-

honesty, they must commend themselves to every man's con-

science in the sight of God"."

�or is oratory of any use in this warfare. St. Paul was

qualified beyond most to fight with this weapon, if he had

judged it expedient: but he laid it aside as an incumbrance:

he knew that, instead of advancing the interests of his Lord,

it would " render the cross of Christ of none effect":" and

therefore he determined to " preach, not with the enticing

words of man's wisdom v" or " in the words which man's

wisdom teacheth, but in those only which the Holy Ghost

teachethi."]

That

f Ezek. xxxvii. 11. Jer. ii. 25. '' Rom.xiii. 3, 4. '''' Zech. iv. 6.

' Matt. xxvi. 52. "^ 1 Cor. ix. 22. ' 2 Cor. i. 12.

'^2Cor. xii. 16. "2Cor. iv. 2. ° 1 Cor. i. 17.

f 1 Cor. ii.4. ^ 1 Cor. ii. IS.

098.] EFFICACY OF THE GOSPEL. 601

That which he renders effectual, is the simple

preaching of the Gospel —

[The law is usually that which first shakes the founda-

dons of the citadel, and batters down the fortifications with

which it was encompassed : yea, the Gospel itself also is at

first alarming, because it proposes a remedy to persons perish-

ing in their sins, and consequently apprises them of their

danger, which they were not before aware of. But when it

Has convinced them of their guilt and misery, then it speaks

peace unto their souls; and sweetly constrains them to yield

up themselves unreservedly to God, as their reconciled God

and Saviour "^

�ot that it has this power in itself : it is in itself as weak as

was the sound of rams' horns which cast down the walls of

Jericho': but it is " mighty through God;" and, when accom-

panied by the operations of his Spirit, it compels the stoutest

rebel to deliver up the keys of his citadel, and surrender at

discretion.]

The victories gained by this are perfect and com-

plete —

[The victories obtained by carnal weapons, may be fol-

lowed by the subjugation of the vanquished people: but no

Conqueror could expect his newly acquired subjects to become

instantly his active and faithful allies. Yet this invariably fol-

lows the triumphs of the Gospel: the vancjuislicd sinner begins

to fight as zealously for God as ever he fought against him.

Moreover, as his fhmjghtsa.nd hnagiriat'iojiu'weve the strong-holds

and fortifications whereby he maintained his stand against God,

so now they are employed in his service, and are instrumental

in repelling all the attacks of his enei'.iies: " they are brought,

not only into captivity, but also into obedience to Christ."

�ow he entertains humble thoughts, abhorring himself for

ever rebelling against so gracious a CJod and Saviour; and

detesting the base servitude to which he submitted under the

government of Satan. These, in ])r. portion as they are en-

tertained, form a very strong rampart around his soul.

�ow he cherishes also jealous tlitin-hts, aware of the sub-

tilty of his great adversary, and of the traitors which yet

remain within his own bosom. Hi. stands upon his watch-

tower, and guards every avenue ^ !!<^reby his enemy may

again approach to hurt him.

�ow also he raises up ^ro/f/w/ t] oughts, magnifying and

adoring that love wherewith his blesod Lord has loved him,

and that grace whereby his God and Father has distinguished

hinj.

'2 Cor. V. 14, ] 5. .Josh. vi. 20.

602 2 CORI�THIA�S, X. 3 5. [998.

him*. These form a bulwark that may defy all the confede-

rate hosts of earth and hell.

�ow moreover he forms resolute thoughts. He is menaced

by an ungodly world; l)ut he sets them all at defiance. Is he

told that he shall be imprisoned and put to death for his ad-

herence to Christ? He answers, " none of these things move

me, neither count I my life dear unto myself";" "I am willing

not only to be bound, but also to die for my Lord's sake":"

** Yea, if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your

faith, I joy and rejoice with you all, and desire that you also

will joy and rejoice with me^."

In short, he labours that ** every thought " which can give

advantage to the enemy, may be " cast down," and eueri/

thovight which can maintain the authority and promote the

honour of God, may be established in the soul: so entirely

does Christ overcome the strong man, and convert to his own

use all his spoils ''.']

We may learn from hence,

1. How to judge of our conversion —

[Our words or actions are a very inadequate criterion

whereby to judge : for, though they must of necessity be

good if we are converted, and a want of piety in them will

Incontestibly prove us unconverted, yet there may be nothing

manifestly exceptionable in them, while we are still ignorant

of Christ and of his salvation. But the thoughts will form

an infallible rule of judgment. " As a man thinketh in his

heart, says Solomon, so is he^" Examine therefore whether

proud, imbelieving, worldly, self-righteous, and desponding

thoughts are su])dued within you ; and whether humble, jea-

lous, grateful, and resolute thoughts are in habitual exercise.

Far be it from us to say, that men are not to employ their

thoughts about worldly things ; for their duties in social life

absolutely require that they should do so: but, to whatever

point our thoughts lead us when they are wholly unconfined,

that will shew the real disposition of our minds ; if we are car-

nal and worldly, our thoughts will be running out after things

of a carnal and worldly nature : if, on the contrary, we are

spiritual, then will our thoughts, which are known to God

only, be spiritual and heavenly.]

2. How to act when we are converted —

[What is spoken proverbially in reference to the expen-

diture of money, may very fitly be applied to this subject ;

" Take care of little things ; and great ones will take care of

themselves." Be attentive to your thoughts ; and we shall

have

' 1 Jolm iii. 1. " Acts xx. 24<. " Acts xxi. 13.

yPhil. ii. 17, 18. ' Luke xi. 21,22. » Prov. xxiii. 7.

999.] FOLLY OF PlilDE A�D BOASTI�G. 603

have no fear about your actions. There is not any thing done,

but it has been previously transacted in the thoughts. The

heart is the womb in which every thing is first conceived,

Avhether it be good or evil ^ Out of the abundance that is

there, will the mouth speak, and the members act '. Let us

then attend to the advice of Solomon, " Keep thy heart with

all dihgence, for out of it are the issues of life "* :" Let us

endeavour to train the thoughts for God, I^et us not suffer

them to roam without notice ; but frequently arrest them, and

inquire into their nature and tendency. Then shall we be-

come ornaments to our holy profession, and acquire an in-

creasing meetness for heaven, where " every" thought will

indeed be captivated to the obedience and enjoyment of

Christ.]

^ Jam. 1. 15. • Matt. xii. 34, 35. •^ Prov. iv. 23.

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