of the Lord," and profess to serve him, in the name of Almighty God I say to you, " keep not silence, and give God no rest, till he establish and make Jerusalem a praise in the earth c I"]
As a further improvement of this subject, I wish you particularly to observe,
1. What obligations we are under to look well to
our ways —
[Every true Believer is a jewel in the Redeemer's crown. And does it become persons so honoured to be regardless of their wavs ? Should we not rather be studious, " as sons of God, to be blameless and harmless in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, shining as lights in the world, holding forth in the whole of our conversation the word of lifed?" I call upon you, Brethren, to remember what a conspicuous place you are ordained to fill to all eternity ; and to " walk worthy of your high calling," yea, " and worthy of the Lord himself too, unto all pleasing :" and however bright you already shine, " let your path shine brighter and brighter unto the perfect day."]
2. What encouragement we have to labour for the Lord —
[It is no worthless object that we have in view. What if we be not able to labour on an extended scale ? If, in the course of our whole lives, we can add but one jewel to Jeho- vah's crown, we shall have effected, both for God and man, a work that is superior in value to the whole world. See, then, whether God may not enable you to effect this in behalf of a parent or child, a brother or sister, a friend or servant, a neighbour, or some person in a state of deep affliction. It is not human skill that is requisite, like that which is necessary to prepare stones for an earthly crown : the speaking of a word for God, and in dependence upon him, may, through his blessing, accomplish this glorious undertaking. And, O ! how rich a recompence would one single instance of success be for the labours of our whole life ! If, indeed, we are able to extend our labours to the very ends of the earth, let us account it our highest privilege to do so. Let us, " for the joy that is set before us, endure any cross, and despise any shame," even as our Lord and Saviour did, if, peradventure, we may prepare " a crown of rejoicing" for ourselves6, and " a crown of glory " for our God.]
« ver. 6, 7. d Phil. ii. 15, 16. ■» Phil. iv. 1.
1009.] god's delight in his people. 583