sail spread to the wind, is so filled with the truth and goodness of the promise, that it swells into an assured hope of what is promised, and rcjoiceth in a certain expectation of what it shall have when it comes to the shore of e+ernitj', though it be now tossed and weather-beaten with a thousand tem])tations and trials in its passage. Secondly, Observe whom he presseth this duty upon ; not some few choice Christians, as an enterprise laid out for them above the rest of their fellow-soldiers, but he lays it on every person tliat will prove himself a Christian, — ' We desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence,' &c. In our civil trade, and 2>articular worldly calling, it were sinful for every poor man to propound such a vast estate to himself in his own desires, as he sees some few, the wealthiest merchants, have got by their trade, so as no less shall content him. But in the spiritual trade of a Christian it is very warrantable for every one to covet to be as rich in grace as the best. Paul will not think himself wronged if thou desirest to be as holy a man as he was, and labour after as strong a faith and stedfast a hope as he had ; yea, thou oughtest not to content thyself with what thou hast, if there were but one degree of grace more to be had than what at present thou hast obtained. And, Thirdly, Observe what he imputes the weakness of the saints' grace to ; not to an impossibility of attaining more, but their sloth and laziness ; and therefore he opposeth this to that blessed frame of heart he so much wisheth them, ver. 12, ' that ye be not slothful.' Indeed, it is the diligent hand makes rich; as in this world's goods, so in this heavenly treasure also. it
Section II. — Labour to strengthen thy hope of salvation, or thou wilt shew that thou little esteemest Christ and his salvation. As we pi-ize any good, so we labour more or less to assure ourselves of it. If a prince should lose a pin from his sleeve, or a penny out of his purse, and one shall bring him news they are found, the things are so inconsiderable that he would not care whether it were true or not ; but if his kingdom lay at stake in the field, and intelligence comes that his army hath got the day, and beaten the enemy, O how he would long to have his hope, that is now raised a little, confirmed more strongly by another j)Ost ! Is heaven worth so little, that you can be satisfied with a few proba- bilities and uncertainties? Thou basely despisest that blessed place, if thou be no more solicitous to know the truth of thy title to it. When Micaiah seemed to give Ahab some hope of a victory, by bidding him go up and prosper, the thing being passionately desired by the king, he fears the worst, and therefore cannot rest till he knows more of this matter. ' And the king said unto him, How often shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the Lord?' 1 Kings xxii. 16. May be thou hast some loose, wavering hopes of heaven floating in thy soul ; if now thou didst think thy eternal woe or weal lay in the truth or falsehood of that hope, certainly thou wouldst search thy heart by the v.'ord, and adjure thy conscience after an im- partial review, to tell thee the naked truth what thy state is, and whether thou mayest in God's name, and with the leave of his word, hope it shall be thy portion or not ; and this thou wouldst do, not hypocritically, as that wretched king did, (who adjured Micaiah to tell him the truth, and then would not believe him, though he did it faithfully,) but with great plainness of heart, it being about a business of no less importance than what shall become of thee to eternity, Peter, when surprised with the tidings of Christ's resurrection, though the report did not find such credit with him as it might; yet, by his speedy running to, and looking into the sepulchre, he shewed both how dearly he loved his Lord, as also how joyful a man he should be if the news were true that he was alive. Tims, Christian, though the promise of eternal life hath not hitlierto ])roduced such an assurance ol" hope, that thou art the person that shall undoubtedly enjoy it, yet shew what thoughts thou hast of that blissful slate, by endeavour- ing to strengthen thy ho])e, and put thyself out of doubt thereof.
Skction hi.— Consider this also, in the last place. That thou knowest not what stress thy hope may be i)ut to before thou diest. The wise mariner doth victual l>is ship for the longest day ; he reckons on cross winds which may retard his voyage and make it more troublesome, knowing well it is easier carrying provision to sea, than getting it there. Non facllt inven'iunliir in adver- silati' ji)re.ii(//a, qiue nonfiicrhit in pare (/ua'si/a, — a good speech of Austin. Ood himself tells us, ' we have need of patience,' (he mear.s great siorc of patience)",
KAQ AND TAKE TnK HELMET OF SALVATION.