The other principle is equally important, — ‘Walking in the Spirit is the natural result and only satisfactory evidence of living in the Spirit.’ The state of the mind and heart is closely connected with that of the conduct. Whatever a man’s profession be — however ingeniously he may speculate, and however plausibly and fluently he may talk about Christianity, — if, in his temper and conduct, he does not exhibit the native results of Christian principle and feeling, he makes it evident that he is not a Christian. “By their fruits,” says our Lord, “ye shall know them.” The Spirit is not there when his fruits are not there.

This leading principle of the Divine government is couched in plain and figurative language. “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” The expression seems proverbial, and intimates that there shall be a strict conformity between a man’s present character and conduct, and his future condition — a correspondence similar to that which exists between sowing and reaping. The proverb holds both as to the kind and as to the quantity of the seed sown. He who sows tares shall reap tares; and he who sows wheat shall reap wheat. Sin will produce punishment, and duty will lead to reward. “He who sows sparingly shall reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall reap bountifully.” The degree of punishment will be proportioned to that of crime, and the degree of reward to the degree of holiness.