1. To be perfect with the Lord —
[Absolute perfection is not to be attained in this workP: but there is a perfection which every Christian must attain, a perfection of desire, of pvu'pose, and of endeavour. We should see such a beauty in holiness as to long for the utmost pos- sible attainment of it: we should desire to " be holy as God is holy," and " perfect as our Father which is in heaven is perfect." At this too we should aim : the great object of our lives should be to mortify every thing that is contrary to God's will, and to get his law perfectly engraven upon our hearts. To be " cast into the very mould of the Gospel," and to be "renewed after the perfect image of our God in righteousness and true holiness," should be the ambition of our souls. After this also should we labour; never thinking that we have attained any thing, wliilst any thing remains to be attained. This was the state of the Apostle PauP, and must be the state of every one that would be approved of his God ™.
Is it thought by any, that, in requiring this, we require too much? I ask, For what has " God given us such exceeding great and precious promises," but that " by them we may be partakers of the divine nature, and escape the corruption that is in the world through lust"?" I ask again. What is the use which God teaches us to make of his promises? Is it not to " cleanse ourselves by their means from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God"?" I ask yet further. What is the desire which every pious minister will feel in behalf of his people ; and to what will he endeavour, both in his private prayers and his pubhc labours, to bring them? Is it not, "that they may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God??" Away then with all apprehen- sions that we require too much : we require only what God
k Eccl, vii. 20. Jam. iii. 2. i Phil. iii. 12—14.
"1 Phil. iii. 15. " 2 Pet. i. 4. ° 2 Cor. vii. 1.
P Col. iv. 12.