may rejoice, even as if lie were already in possession of the full result h ]
See, then, the Christian's life exhibited before you. It is,
1. An arduous life —
[The people of the world imagine it an easy thing to get to heaven : but the real saint finds it far otherwise. They glide down the stream in a way of carnal gratification : but he has to go against the stream of corrupt nature, and to stem the tide of a voluptuous world. Were it so easy a matter to serve the Lord, it would never have been characterized by terms which convey so different an idea. The wrestler, the racer, the warrior, find that they have enough to do, in order to obtain a successful issue to their exertions.]
2. An anxious life —
[St. Paul says, " I would have you without carefulness." But our Lord says, " Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." Unbelieving anxiety is doubtless to be put away: but watchfulness and holy fear are never to be intermitted one single moment. St. Peter knew, by bitter experience, how needful that caution was, " Be sober, be vigilant; because your Adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about, seek- ing whom he may devour." It would ill become a man on the borders of eternity to indulge a careless frame of mind. The most eminent saint in the universe should " take heed lest he fall," and should " walk in the fear of the Lord all the day long."] »
3. A happy life —
[It should seem as if anxiety were inconsistent with hap- piness. And it would be so, if we knew not where to look for the grace that is needful for us. But the very trials which drive us to our God for help, are the means of drawing forth the succours which God has promised, and of bringing God himself into closer union with us. In truth, it is from such discoveries of the divine character, and such communications of the heavenly grace, that the Believer derives his sublimest pleasures : and he is then most truly happy, when " his fel- lowship is most intimate with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ1."]
4. A glorious life —
[To the eye of sense, a Believer is only like a common man, and his walk like that of other men : but to the eye of faith it is not so. A Believer walks with God : his soul is
h Rom. viii. 33—39. J 1 John i. 3.