III. Constant in its progress —
The sun invariably pursues its wonted course — [From the instant it rises, it hastens toward the meridian. Sometimes indeed its splendour is intercepted by clouds, and sometimes it may be partially, or even totally eclipsed ; still, however, it proceeds in its appointed path, and is sure to arrive at its meridian height.]
The Christian too goes forward towards perfection —
[He never rests as though he had attained the summit p. He determines to be ever pressing forward for higher attain- ments''. He may indeed for a season be involved in clouds: yea, perhaps, he may through the violence of temptation, suf- fer an eclipse; but, if he be really "just" and upright, his light shall break forth again. God has ensured this by a solemn pro- mise'. Jeremiah illustrates it by the very allusion in the text^: nor is this progress the privilege of some only '. David speaks of it as belonging to Israel of old". Paul represents it as enjoyed by every true Christian^; and Peter shews us whence this sta- bility proceeds y. None indeed arrive at absolute perfection in this hfe^; but soon the just will be changed into Christ's per- fect image ^, and shine above the sun in the firmament for ever and ever^]
Improvement —
1. For conviction — [We are in a world that lieth in darkness and the shadow of death ; and, if we be Christians indeed, we are shining as hghts in a dark place. Do our consciences testify that this is the case with us? Are we examples of holiness to those of our own age and rank? Do we reprove all woi'ks of darkness, in- stead of having fellowship with them'=? If not, how can we ever be numbered among the just? Shall we say that we once were such, but are now under a cloud ? Or that our light is at the present eclipsed ? Let us beware lest we prove only as a
>" 1 Pet. ii. 15. n 1 Pet. iii. 1,
2,
0 Matt. V. 16.
P Phil. iii. 12. i Phil. iii. 13,
14.
r Job xvii. 9.
« Jer. xxxi. 33—37. * Phil. i. G, 7.
^ Ps. Ixxxiv. 7.
^ 2 Cor. iii. 18. >' 1 Pet. i. 5.
^ 1 Cor. xiii. 9, 10
a 1 John iii. 2. Phil, iii, 21.
^ Dan, xii. 3. and Matt. xiii. 43.
<= Eph. v. 11.
e2