many temptations to withstand, many conflicts to sustain, many graces to exercise, many duties to perform : to their latest hour they will be required to " glorify God with their bodies and their spirits, which are his " ]
This work must be " done with all our might" —
[It must be done speedily, without delay. — None of us have any time to lose. Whatever be our state at present, we know not how long our lives may be continued. The young and. healthy are mortal, as well as the old and diseased : and the sturdy oak may be blown down while the bending rush survives. We should therefore imitate David, who says, " I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments."
It must be done heartily, zvithout remissness. — It is not suffi- cient to enter upon this work with indiflference, and to prosecute it in a cold lifeless manner. We must " give all diligence to make our calling sure," and " to be found of Christ in peace :" we must " strive to enter in at the strait gate, since we may seek, and not be able." Even " the righteous are scarcely saved," and with great difficulty. If any dream of salvation as a matter easily to be accomplished, they will "perish in their own delusions."
It must be done perseveringly, without loeariness. — There is no period when we are at liberty to relax our endeavours. While we are in the world, we are still on the field of battle, and surrounded with enemies that are ever ready to take ad- vantage of us. It is not till death that we can " put off the harness:" " till then, there is no discharge in this warfare." We must " not faint, or be weary in well-doing, if ever we would reap ;" but must " be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord."]
To impress this salutary advice upon our minds, let us proceed to consider,
II. The argument with which it is enforced —
We all are dying creatures, and continually hasten- ing to the grave. Whether we be going to our bu- siness, or our pleasure, or our rest, wherever we are, and whatever we are doing, we are " going to our grave." The precise distance of our grave is hid from us : some arrive at it almost as soon as they set out on their journey : multitudes, when thinking of nothing less, drop into it suddenly, and are seen no more. Those who have walked towards it for a considerable time, have stronger and stronger inti- mations of their approach towards it. Many are seen