Such are the Scripture admonitions; and surely they to whom such admonitions are addressed, may not safely acquiesce in low attainments: a conclusion to which also we are led by the force of the expressions by which Christians are characterized in Scripture, and by the radical and thorough change, which is represented as taking place in any man on his becoming a real Christian. "Every one," it is said, "that hath this hope, purifieth himself even as God is pure:" true Christians are said to be "partakers of the Divine nature;"--"to be created anew in the image of God;"--"to be temples of the Holy Ghost;" the effects of which must appear "in _all_ goodness and righteousness and truth." Great as was the progress which the apostle Paul had made in all virtue, he declares of himself that _he_ still presses forward, "forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forth unto the things which are before." He prays for his beloved disciples, "that they may be _filled_ with _all_ the fulness of God;" that they may be _filled_ "with the fruits of righteousness:" "that they might walk worthy of the Lord unto _all_ pleasing, being fruitful in _every_ good work." Nor is it a less pregnant and comprehensive petition, which, from our blessed Saviour's inserting it in that form of prayer which he has given as a model for our imitation, we may infer ought to be the habitual sentiment of our hearts; "Thy will be done in Earth _as it is in Heaven_." These few extracts from the word of God will serve abundantly to vindicate the _strictness_ of the Christian morality: but this point will however be still more fully established, when we proceed to investigate the _nature_, _essence_, and _governing principles_ of the Christian character. It is the grand essential practical characteristic of true Christians, that relying on the promises to repenting sinners of acceptance through the Redeemer, they have renounced and abjured all other masters, and have cordially and unreservedly devoted themselves to God. This is indeed the very figure which baptism daily represents to us: like the father of Hannibal, we there bring our infant to the altar, we consecrate him to the service of _his proper owner_, and vow _in his name_ eternal hostilities against all the enemies of his salvation. After the same manner Christians are become the sworn enemies of sin; they will henceforth hold no parley with it, they will allow it in no shape, they will admit it to no composition; the war which they have denounced against it, is cordial, universal, irreconcilable.