requires, and what every soul that shall ever be saved, must possess : in actual attainments there wiU, in spite of our utmost exertions, be much lacking; but in desire, purpose, and en- deavour, we must be perfect, not willingly harbouring the smallest imperfection 1, but striving to "grow up into Christ in all things, as our living Head."]
2. To preserve continually the frame they now possessed —
[The people now, as well as their king, were in a very devout and heavenly frame: there was nothing they wovdd not now have done, or sacrificed, for the honour of their God. Solomon therefore says to them, " Be perfect with the Lord, as at this day" Now there are times when every godly person has felt himself more especially alive to the concerns of eternity: he has been humbled in the dust, under a sense of his own guilt and helplessness ; he has been filled with admi- ration at the divine goodness to him ; he has longed to have God ever with him, and to find all his happiness in the presence of his God. If such, then, have ever been our state, is there not the same reason that it should be so now ? Does God deserve less at our hands, than he did at the period referred to? Why then do we not feel the same towards him? Perhaps we may be disposed to look back upon such seasons with com- placency; but we should rather look upon all other seasons with shame and sorrow. O laboui". Brethren, to preserve upon yom* minds those better feelings which you have at any time experienced ; and, instead of declining from them, to get them revived and strengthened from day to day !
Such is the blessing, which, were it at our disposal, we would bestow upon you ; and such is the blessing which we entreat of God to confer on every one amongst you.]
1 1 Chron. xxviii. 9.