So entirely should we be the Lord's, that " whether we eat, or drink, or whatever we do, we should do all to his glory °."]
Address —
1. Those who have never yet instituted this inquiry —
[Alas! how many have never made any other use of God's mercies, but to render them means of self-destruction, and instruments of dishonouring their God ! Has he given them abundance ? they have employed it in riot and excess. Has he vouchsafed to them health and strength ? they have turned these blessings into an occasion of more unbridled licentious- ness. Has he bestowed intellectual powers upon them ? they have perverted these to justify their evil ways, and to dispute the authority of God. The very Gospel itself they have abused as sanctioning their presumptuous hopes, and as affording reason for dissipating all fear of God's displeasure. Ah, Brethren ! what will be the end of these things? " Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people, and unwise ? " How will ye answer it at the last day? When your Judge shall put the question, " What could I have done more for my vineyard than I did ? what excuse will ye offer for bringing forth only wild grapes p?" Do but think of these things, ere it be too late. But if ye will not lay these things to heart, then know assuredly, that, if ye will not render unto the Lord according to his works of mercy, he will render unto you according to your aggravated iniquities.]
2. Those who profess to feel their obligations to their God —
[Examine, I beseech you, the returns which you have made : do they not " fill you with shame and confusion of face ? " Are ye not perfectly astonished at your own ingrati- tude ? O ! see what need there is to walk humbly before God. But yet, do not despond. Your " God is able to make all grace abound towards you :" and, if you call upon him, " he will give you more grace," even grace sufficient for you, so that you shall be able to " render to him, in some measure at least, according to the benefits he has conferred upon you." You see how he wrought in David, and in his holy Apostles : and is his arm shortened, that it cannot reach to you ? Arise, and bless your God ; walk joyfully before him ; " let your hearts be lifted up in his ways : " come, and take the cup of salvation ; and, as one great family, hand it round, each, as it were, to the other, that all of you may be encouraged, and all be comforted, and all be strengthened. " Now," even now, take the blessed cup into your hands ; and drink of it " in the presence of all
0 1 Cor. x. 31. P Isai. v. 1 — 1.
288 PSALMS, CXVL la. [692.
his people;" yea, drink, and live for ever. And inquire with yourselves, inquire of each other, yea, inquire of God himself, what you can do for him ; and let your capacity for his service be the only measure of your exertion.]