exercise self-denial, or to sacrifice their temporal interests for their Lord and Saviour ? Let them not hesitate between duty and interest : the calls, though apparently opposite, are indeed the same : if we sacrifice any thing for the Lord, he will repay us an hundred-fold. If we will lose our lives for his sake, we shall find them : but if we will save them here, we shall lose them in the eternal world.]
2. The careful and worldly-minded Christian —
[If the Jews, whose principal rewards were of a temporal nature, were taught not to place their affections on earthly things, how much less should we ! It is really a disgrace to Christianity, when persons who profess godliness are as anxious after this world as those who have no prospects beyond. Yet how common is this character ! Happy would it be for them if they would study our Lord's sermon on the mount; and learn from the very birds of the air to live without anxiety for the morrow1. Not that they should neglect their earthly busi- ness, whatever it may be : but, in the habit and disposition of their minds, they should " be content with such things as they have," and realize the prayer which they profess to approve, " Give us day by day our daily bread!"]
3. The fearful and unbelieving Christian —
[On the command being given respecting the observance of the sabbatical year, some are represented as asking, " What shall we eat the seventh year?" Now thus it is with many Christians, who are anticipating evils, and questioning with themselves what they shall do under such or such circum- stances? and fearing, that, if they proceed in the way of duty, they shall not be able to stand their ground. But the answer to such persons is, " Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof." We have no right to anticipate evils; at least, not so to anti- cipate them as to distress ourselves about them. All that we need to inquire, is, What is the way of duty ? True, to carnal minds we may appear to act absurdly, and to thwart our own interests : but the path of duty will always be found the path of safety. God is the same God as ever he was: and, if he call us to exercise faith on him, he will never disappomt us. Justly did Jesus reprove his disciples for fearing, when they had him in the same vessel with them. Let us remember, that he is embarked with us, and that they who trust in him " shall not be ashamed or confounded world without end."]
4. The humble and believing Christian —
[Did you ever, when exercising faith in God, find yourself disappointed of your hope ? Did he ever leave you or forsake
1 Matt. vi. 25—30.
143. j god's promises to PENITENTS. ()70
you ? If the command have appeared formidable at a distance, have you not always found that your strength was increased according to ^our day, and that His grace was sufficient for you? Have you not found also, that, though your obedience might be self-denying, it has always been productive of happi- ness? In short, are you not living witnesses of the truth and faithfulness of your Lord? Go on then, and be examples of a holy self-denying obedience. Prefer the performance of duty before worldly prospects, how lucrative soever they may appear; and let it be seen in you, what it is to " live by faith on the Son of God, who has loved you, and given himself for you."]