We must look to God to " work all our works in us :" " all our fresh springs must be in him." To rely simply on God is the only way of being really strong ; as the Apostle says, " When I am weak, then am I strong ;" and the more entire our reli- ance is on him, the more will his strength be perfected in our weakness.
At the same time, we must bear in mind how exceedingly defective our best services are ; and must renounce all hope in " our own righteousness, as being in itself no better than filthy rags." If St. Paul, with all his transcendent excel- lencies, " desired to be found in Christ, not having his own righteousness, but that which is of God by faith in Christ," much more must we do so, whose righteousness falls so far short of his. Our constant and grateful acknowledgment must be, " In the Lord have I righteousness and strength." Yes ; " in the Lord must all the seed of Israel be justified, and in him alone must they glory."
Yet we must not imagine that our services shall go unre- warded : for, though our works shall not go before us to hea- ven, to supersede the office of a Saviour, " they shall follow us, to attest our love to him, and shall be acknowledged by liim as worthy of a gracious recompence." Not even a cup of cold water given to one of his disciples shall lose its reward. God would even consider himself as " unrighteous, if he were to forget our works and labours of love, which we have shewed towards his name." Be assured, therefore, that he will bring forth, at the last day, whatever you have done for liim, and will both applaud and recompense it before the assembled universe.
Here, then, you have abundant encouragement to exercise yourselves with all diligence in the preceding duties of fear and vigilance, of piety and affiance. And know, that the more you endeavour to approve yourselves to God, the more shall you be approved by him in the day of judgment.]