3. With perseverance —
[We are as much in danger of drawing back through weak- ness, as of being turned aside by fear. There are many who have suffered much for the cause of Christ, who yet become " weary in well-doing." But we must never think that we have attained any thing, as long as any thing remains to be attained. We must " forget what is behind, and reach for- ward to that which is before." We must engage in the service of our God, not for a season only, but for life : and as long as life lasts, our motto must be, " This one thing I do." " If we put our hands to the plough, and look back, we are not fit for the kingdom of heaven."]
To RECOMMEND this dccisioii of character to all who are journeying towards heaven, we observe, it is,
1. The easiest way —
[We know it is not easy to attain such a fixedness of mind and purpose : but, when we have attained it, our way is rendered far easier than when we are halting between two opi- nions or two courses ^. The man who has not a fixed principle is doubting and hesitating, every step he takes : but he who inquires simply. What is duty? and, What does my God require of me ? has a plain path before him, and has nothing to do but to " walk in it."]
2. The safest way —
[When a man is desirous of going to the utmost verge of what is lawful, and of conforming to the world as far as will consist with a hope of final salvation, he must often stand on very slippery ground ; and it must be a miracle indeed if he do not one day fall. But he who, with a noble contempt of earthly things, is enabled to seek only what shall be most con- ducive to his spiritual welfare, stands at a distance from temp- tation, and, by " walking uprightly, walketh surely^."]
3. The happiest way —
[Any deviation from the path of duty must of necessity weaken the testimony which conscience might give respecting the rectitude of our minds : and it is certain that God will not vouchsafe the witness of his Spirit to those whose hearts are not right with him. These sources of happiness therefore must be closed to those who are not of a fixed decided charac- ter. Indeed such persons have very little comfort in any thing : their regard for God prevents their full enjoyment of the world ; and their love of the world renders it impossible
a Matt. vi. 22 — 24. ^ Jam. i. 8. 2 Pet. i. U).