of preat price : which whosoever finds, should go and sell all that he has and purchase it^" If, like the Rich Youth in the Gospel, we refuse to part with all, we never can possess the salvation of God. St. Paul is our pattern in this respect. He possessed more of what was really valuable than any uncon- verted man ever did before him : but '* what things were gain to me," says he, " those I counted loss for Christ : yea, doubt- less, and 1 count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." Nor does he give this as a sentiment which he was ready to maintain, but as one which he had already carried into effect: " for whom," adds he, " I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ*^." And it is worthy of ob- servation, that amongst the things which he despised thus, are to be reckoned, not his temporal interests only, but his own carnal wisdom and his legal righteousness ^ ; which, to a man of Pharisaic habits, are far more dear than all the world besides. After his example, then, we must renounce all that is pleasing to flesh and blood, and take " Christ for our Wisdom, our Right- eousness, our Sanctification, and our complete Redemption."]
2. ^^Sellit not"— [We shall be continually tempted to part with it : but we must " hold fast what we have, that no man may take our crown." We must " never, after having once put our hand to the plough, look back again." In seasons of prosperity we may be lulled asleep ; and Satan may rob us of our prize. And in times of persecution we may be intimidated, and draw back through fear. But " nothing," however terrible, " should move us." We should " be ready, not only to be bound, but also to die, at any time, and in any manner, for the name of the Lord Jesus." If called to suffer for his sake, we must " rejoice that we are counted worthy" of so high an honour: yea, we must even " leap for joy," because we are thereby rendered conformable to Christ, and because " God is glorified in us." We must " be faithful unto death, if ever we would obtain a crown of life."]
Address —
L Examine whether you have " the truth" set before you —
[In purchasing any commodity, you endeavour to ascertain that it is good and genuine. And so must you do in relation to the Gospel. You must not take any thing for granted. You have a touchstone, by which you must try whatever is offered to you for sale. St. Paul speaks of a false Gospel, as finding an extensive currency in the Galatian Church'"; and
e Matt. xiii. 44—46. f Phil. iii. 7,8. e Phil. iii. 9. •> Gal. i. 6, 7.