3. They are such as continue patiently in a course of well-doing to the end of their lives ; for it is not enough to begin well, but the work must still be carried on till we come to receive our reward : Heb. iii. 14, 'For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.' But 3^ou will say, Itonr com- fort be suspended upon this condition, then we can never know that wo are heirs of promise till we come to die. I answer — It is not eventus persevcrandi, not actual perseverance to the end, which maketh the evidence ; but labor, conahcs, et cura perseverandi, the resolution and endeavour to continue in a diligent use of all means, to continue in the way of well-doing, and to please God in all things. And the more you thus give diligence to persevere in this holy ])urpose, the more assurance you get of the goodness of your condition : Heb. vi. 11, ' And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope to the end ; that ye be not slothful,' &c. A christian may be assured, and his assurance groweth upon him the more he sets himself continually to obey God. Now this part of the evidence cuts off partly all those that are only good by fits a-nd starts and good moods ; some- times they set their faces heavenward, but their lusts return, and then they are worse than they were before : partly those who prove final apostates ; they began to build, but they leave the work unfinished, and 'after they have escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again en- tangled therein, and overcome,' 2 Peter ii. 20.
Use 2. Is exhortation, to press you —
1. To seek after honour, glory, and immortality. Oh, this is the best pursuit you can engage in. What is better for you ? Can the world or the devil propound anything so good, or better, than this glorious estate? Are the dreggy contentments of the flesh, the vain- glory and honour of the world, the uncertain riches we enjoy here, worthy to come in competition with eternal life ? Surely in matter of motive a christian hath the advantage, however a carnal man hath the advantage in matter of principle, because in him it is wholly entire and unbroken.
2. To well-doing. Surely you should not need many arguments to press you to do well ; rather to press you to do ill should be the more difficult task, it is so contrary to our reason, and the right constitution of our natures, but that we are strangely depi'aved. 0 christians ! what do we invite you to, but to love God above all, and seek his favour in Christ, and love your neighbour as yourself, and by temper- ance, purity, and chastity to preserve your own vessels, both bodies and souls, in sanctification and honour ? Surely these duties are not gyves, but ornaments; and such subjection to God should be i)referred before liberty in sinning.
SEllMON UPON ROMANS II. 7. 155
3. To continue with patience. I will press you to this by two argu- ments'—
[1.] There will be always the same reason for going on that there was for beginning at first. Did the sense of your duty invite you ? The same bond of duty lieth upon you still. l)id the hopes of the world to come engage you ? Heaven is not yet obtained. And will you lose all the cost you have been at already ? Gal. iii. 4, ' Have ye suffered so many things in vain ? '
[2.] There can be no temptation great enough to recompense you for the loss of your reward of eternal life. Is it reproach ? Wlien men despise, God will honoin- thee ; and it is a blessed thing to be reviled for righteousness' sake. Is it worldly loss ? Better lose the world than lose our souls : Mat. xvi. 26, ' What will it profit a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul ? ' Is life in danger ? Losing life for Christ is the way to save it ; and John xi. 25, ' Though he were dead, yet shall he live.' Is it the continual reviving of troubles? In the other world there is nothing to assault thy perseverance ; there thou art out of the gunshot of temptations, and shalt serve God with- out defect or difficulty ; there our service is not troublesome to us.
SERMON UPON 2 CORINTHIANS XIII. 14.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Clirist, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, he toith you- all. Amen. — 2 Cor. xiii. 14.
My purpose is to open the apostolical benediction or prayer for tlie Corinthians ; for our way of blessing is only to pray for those whom we bless. To love others is to desire their good. They that love best and most desire the best good for their friends; and better good there cannot be desired than that those we love may have God for their God. Now they that have God for their God have all tliat is in God, and all that is God. God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost will employ all his wisdom, power, and goodness, to save them from all evil, and bring them to eternal blessedness. This is that which is prayed for in this place : ' The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.'