more advanced Christian, it is that of humility. Job was a " perfect" man before his sufferings; but, after them, his attain- ments in grace were exceedingly enlarged; and then it was that he " abhorred himself in dust and ashes." Do ye also aspire after perfection in every grace ; but learn most of all to "lothe yourselves," when you have the most confident hope that "God is pacified towards youg."]
It shall then assuredly prove effectual for the sal- vation of your souls —
[" Repent," says the prophet, " and turn from all your trans- gressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin." "Where the judg- ments are of a temporal nature, the true penitent may hope that God will put a difference between him and others h ; but in reference to judgments that shall be inflicted in the eternal world, he may be sure of it. The sheep and the goats shall have their appropriate places assigned them ; and the wheat be treasured up in the garner, whilst " the chaff is burnt up with unquenchable fire." Were there but a peradventure concerning this, it were quite sufficient to encourage our deepest peni- tence : but it is not a matter of uncertainty: it not only " may be" but shall be: and not the smallest grain of true wheat shall ever be lost1. Did Jesus, even in the days of his flesh, lose one whom the Father had given him? No: "nor will he ever suffer one to be plucked out of his hands." "Their lives are now hid with Christ in God ; and therefore when He, who is their life, shall appear, they also shall appear with him in glory k."]
e Ezek. xvi. 63. h Ezek. ix. 4.
1 Amos ix. 9. k Col. iii. 3, 4.