should groan for it, desiring to be dissolved, that we may be with Christ ; yea, we should be " looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of Christ," when our sanctification will be perfect, and our triumph complete. But, how far is this from being the experience of the generality of Christians ! We seem to cleave to life, as if a state of pain and conflict were preferable to that of rest and happiness. Alas ! alas ! we live far below our privileges : whereas, if we were as heartily engaged in the work of our salvation as God requires us to be, we should manifest in our very countenances the radiance of God's image, and bear about in our souls the felicity of heaven.]
That we may give more effect to this reproof, we will set before you,
III. The considerations which are proper to stir us up to diligence — Consider,
L. How much time you have lost already — [What attainments might we not have secured, if, from the commencement of our warfare, we had made no truce with our enemies, but had followed up our advantages with becoming
zeal ! Many may look back for years, and yet be
scarcely able to point out one foot of ground that they have gained, beyond that which was ceded to them in their first con- flicts. But we must not forget, that it is not he who begins well, but " he that endureth to the end, that shall be saved."]
2. How your difficulties are increased by delay —
[Forty years after this time, the tribe of Dan had yet to fight for their inheritance'; and it was four hundred years before the Jebusites were driven from Jerusalem g. Had all the tribes proceeded with united vigour to fulfil the divine command in its utmost extent, they would not so long have had to lament that their remaining enemies were as " scourges in their side, and thorns in their eyes." And who does not find, that corruptions gather strength by indulgence, and that graces decay for want of exercise ? " Look then to yourselves, that ye lose not the things that ye have wrought, but that ye receive a full rewardV]
3. How certain is your success, if ye advance in your work —
[The promise and oath of Jehovah are on your side. If there were any room for doubt respecting the ultimate success of your labours, there would be some little excuse for lukewarm- ness : but when victory is sure, methinks the most timid person
f Judg. xviii. 1. g 2 Sam. v. 6 — 8. h 2 John, ver. 8.