SERMON XXIII. ON THE STABILITY OF THE GRACIOUS HEBREWS XIII. 9. It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace. An established reputation, trade, or fortune, is the object wished and pursued by many, but an established heart few think of or seek; it is the latter, however, that the apostle recommends in the words of my text. By the heart here is meant the soul, with all its faculties. To have this renewed and sanctified is a great blessing, but to have it established is an additional mercy. Steadiness in religion is a matter of great consequence; for unless we are faithful unto death, we are not likely to receive a crown of life. By the grace of God here we are not to understand his free favour; for it is not said, "by grace," but "with grace." It is certain, indeed, that all spiritual blessings flow from that spring" By grace ye are saved;" and, "According to his mercy, he hath saved us." But by grace in my text, we are either to understand the gospel, which is a revelation of grace, founded upon and abounding with rich discoveries of the grace of God, in which sense the word seems to be used, 2 Cor. vi. 1-"We, as workers together with him, beseech you that ye receive not the grace of God in vain ;" or we may understand the principle of spiritual life implanted in the soul, and which works powerfully in those that believe. It comes from a gracious God, and imparts loveliness to its possessor. This is frequently called grace in Scripture. "Let us have grace, that we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear." Now, the apostle tells us that it is a good thing to have the heart established with grace. More is implied here than expressed. Other things may be good. "Son," says Abraham, to the rich man in torment, "remember, that in thy lifetime thou receivedst thy good things;" "Wisdom is good with an inheritance ;"-but of all good things in the apostle's esteem, an established heart seems to have the preeminence. Nothing in the world of nature, and few things in the world of grace, can be compared with it. It is good, on account of the honour and the profit it brings. It makes a man both happy in himself, and useful to others. Natural men are entirely destitute of it; and few good men are possessed of it in such a degree as is desirable. A new heart, a warm heart, a tender heart, a contrite heart, are very desirable; but an established heart is more so than all. Nothing short of grace, a rich supply of grace out of the fulness of Christ, can produce it. Here I shall endeavour to show, First, what this establishment may refer to; and, Secondly, how grace works it; and then, wherein its goodness appears. I. To what does this establishment refer? 1. To the doctrines to be believed; so that those who are possessed of it are no longer fluctuating and unstable, changing their opinions of religion according to those of the company they keep, or the ministry they sit under; but so fixed in their belief that nothing can turn them; and if an angel from heaven were to preach any other doctrine, they would esteem him accursed. This was the commendation of the primitive Christians: "They continued stedfastly in the apostle's doctrine;"-and of the church at Pergamos, -" they held fast" Christ's name, and had not denied his faith, even when the martyrdom of Antipas showed what they might expect for their attachment to it. A rock unmoved in the midst of the waves is a fit emblem of the 2. To the frame and temper of the mind. Man, in his present fallen state, is the very picture of inconstancy: now warm with love to God, then cold and indifferent; now pressing on with vigour, then ready to halt. Have we not seen this sometimes in the best of men? In what an unsettled frame was the prophet Jeremiah, when in one verse he, in the most elevated strains, praises God, and in the very next curses the day of his birth! (Jer. xx. 13, 14.) Now, in opposition to this, an established heart is a very great mercy, from which this miserable lightness of spirit is removed; and we are able to say with David, "My heart is fixed, my heart is fixed, I will sing and give praises;" no longer lifted up with imaginary hopes, or depressed with anxious fears, but fixed by God and on God. How beautiful the expression of the apostle, "None of these things move me!" 3. To the graces of the Spirit. Though grace is a permanent and abiding principle, yet it is subject to many ebbings and flowings. Though it cannot be lost, yet it is liable to decays; and as this is true of grace in general, so also of particular graces: thus the Galatians declined in their zeal, and the Ephesians left their first love. The established Christian, therefore, or he who has his faith strengthened, his hopes confirmed, and his affections fixed upon the supreme good, enjoys the greatest satisfaction of mind. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace," says the prophet, "whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." How partial "I have not 4. To christian practice. Gracious principles are influential, but not equally so at all times. Grace is a light that will shine, a fire that will flame; but then the light is not always alike clear, or the flame alike strong. and interrupted is the obedience of most! found thy works perfect before God," says Christ, to one of the churches of Asia. Now, to be established in this respect, is to be uniform in our conduct; or, as the apostle expresses it, "stedfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." It is to have a will to do what we ought, and power to perform that which we will; and surely this is a great happiness. To be bold and courageous in the cause of Christ, brings much honour to religion, and comfort to a man's own soul; but for this we are indebted to him. He is the first and last in our sanctification, as well as in our justification. By him we must obtain a victory over our lusts and corruptions, and be enabled to persevere in our christian course, in spite of all difficulties and oppositions. I proceed II. To show how grace produces this establishment: and it does so 1. By generating uprightness and integrity in the heart. No graceless man is a sincere man: he prays for things he does not desire, and often attempts what he is not anxious to perform. On the contrary, those that are most full of grace are most free from guile; and whilst those that are actuated by base motives will not be stedfast in any thing, the man who makes the approbation and glory of God the end of all his actions, which is what the gracious principle inculcates, will not be deterred from his course by fear, nor swayed by secular interest, artful persuasions, or evil examples. A sincere heart is proof against seduction and temptation; hence, that prayer of Israel's king, "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me." Hypocrisy tends to apostasy, but perseverance is the fruit of sincerity. The hypocrite is like a blazing meteor; the sincere Christian like a fixed star. Those that have followed Christ for the loaves will forsake him; but those who are really united to him, from perceiving his excellence and their own need of him, will cleave to him with full purpose of heart. "I am ready," says the apostle, " not only to be bound, but to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 2. By inducing a lively exercise of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. "Rooted and built up in Christ Jesus," says the author of the Epistle to the Colossians, and then "established in the faith." What is here said of faith, by which |