cipate the same heavenly calling. Occasional circumstances of temptation or of darkness may indeed for a time reduce the most eminent Christian below the standard of his weaker brother : but in the general it will be found, that the more we have of the Divine image, the more we shall abound in heavenly consolation : they will have most of heaven in their souls, who have the greatest meetness for it in their hearts and lives.
And though these holy joys are not bestowed on account of the Believer's merits, yet are they strictly and properly a reward for his piety : they are a reward of grace, though not a payment of a debt. God has in numberless places assured his people, that " he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him," and that *' it shall be well with the righteous, who shall eat the fruit of their doings'^."]
Infer,
1 . What a mercy is it to have such an example as Christ!
[If we entertain any doubt how we ought to walk, or what shall be the issue of a godly life, we need only look to the Lord Jesus Christ : in him we see precisely " how we ought to walk and to please God," and what shall be the termination of a life spent in the service of our God. In him we shall find an answer to the cavils of the world on the one hand, and to the suggestions of Satan on the other. In those things which Christ did as a Prophet, or as the Mediator, he is not an example to us J but in all other things he is : and as surely as we tread in his steps in this world, we shall be seated with him on his throne in the world to come.]
2. How vain are the expectations of those who are not conformed to it !
[Holiness and happiness are inseparable. It is in vain to hope for the oil of gladness, if we be not lovers of righteousness, and haters of iniquity. We may applaud and canonize those who conform to the world's standard of perfection ; but God will not ratify our sentence. The precepts of the Gospel are the infal- lible, the only rule of duty. They were exhibited in all their perfection by our blessed Lord, who gave us in his own life a comment on them. If we labour to imitate him, and to walk in all things as he walked, our short-comings and defects will be forgiven us for his sake : but if we make any reserves in our obedience, we shall be regarded as despisers of his law, and take our portion with hypocrites and unbelievers. '^ Herein the chil- dren of God are manifest, and the children of the devil; he that doelh not righteousness is not of God."]
' Isai. iii. 10.
158 PSALMS, xLv. 13 — 16. [366*^