Be on your guard, I pray you, against his devices. He can now, as well as formerly, " transform himself into an angel of light, and make his ministers to appear as the ministers of righteousness x." But I appeal to all, whether the listening to " questions and strifes of words" does not divert the mind from Christ, and indispose the soul for communion with him. Then, I say, have a higher regard for Christ than to run after novelties, which only draw you from him. It is but little that you can know of him, how intent soever your minds may be upon him ; and but little that you can do to requite his love, how devoted soever you may be to his service. Value him then as you ought ; love him as you ought ; serve him as you ought: let " all created things be as dung" in your estimation in comparison of himy: and endeavour now to keep your mind engaged, as it will to all eternity be occupied in heaven, in praising and magnifying him, who " loved you, and washed you from your sins in his own blood2."
Take care that you be not robbed of it. Satan will leave nothing undone to prevail against you. How he has prevailed over others, let the history of Demas inform you. Do not imagine, that because the world is as nothing to you now, it will always appear so vain and worthless. No : a change of circumstances often produces a change of views and habits. What changes may await you, God alone knows: but O! pray that there may never be a change in your regards for Christ, unless indeed that he may be increasingly precious in your eyes, and that your devotion to him may be more entire. And be assured that in the eternal world it will be no grief to you that you did too much for him, or suffered too much for him. Let it be to you " Christ to live ; and it will in due time be gain to die."]
x 2 Cor. xi. 13—15. J Phil. iii. 8. z Rev. i. 5, 6.