We cannot sufficiently reprobate the practice of those persons, who boastfully claim the Saviour as their “familiar friend,” without an abiding concern and a strenuous endeavour to walk as He walked, in all the ways of spiritual and moral integrity. Consider, I pray you, His own clear text on this point: “If ye love Me, keep My commandments:” {377} there can be no other evidence of our saving interest in the Lord, but that which He Himself has established. His true disciples and brethren must bear His image; and not the marred, corrupted, hideous likeness of the author of sin and death. This it is, to be spiritually and effectually incorporated into the family of Jesus Christ; thus is our relationship to be proved and cherished: he that walketh as a brother and a friend, will be owned as such; he, that faileth so to walk, will be disowned and cast away, whatever his pretensions: “better had it been for that man if he had never been born;” better still, if he had never been born “of water and the spirit;” if he had never “named the name of Christ.” Let us then faithfully remember, not only the joys and privileges of the brethren of our Lord, but the means also, which are absolutely necessary for the proof and establishment of this holy title; the conditions, the evidences, and the duties of so high and happy a state. And from our Lord’s example in the instance before us, we may gather several particulars for our instruction in life: He gave His relations to understand, that it was not so much the natural tie which He valued, as the spiritual; not, as we have already explained, that He was devoid of natural affection, but that the spiritual bond was of so much higher importance in His esteem. In applying this principle for our adoption and regulation, certainly great allowance must be made, and sound discretion used; allowance for our mutual infirmities; and discretion, for the sake of preserving domestic harmony and peace. Far be it from us, to disclaim and renounce every one of our family, who liveth not as a faithful follower of Christ; he has a natural hold upon us, which must not be harshly or hastily broken. Independently of a universal feeling of benevolence for all mankind; it is evidently the will of God, that the different members of each family should be especially attached together, for the sake of promoting each other’s interest and comfort; and thus of contributing to the good of society at large; to the increase of the general stock of happiness, and the diminution of evil.