To this must " temperance be added." In this term also there is more implied than we generally annex to it. In this catalogue of graces it would appear a small thing to say, that we should abstain " from surfeiting and drunkenness ;" (though that doubtless is necessary for Christians too ^. ) We are, as has been before noted, in a state which calls for bold and judicious exertions : and as those who contended in the Grecian games were " temperate in all things," in order that their bodily strength and agility might qualify them for their contests ^, so are we to be temperate, in order to insure success in our spiritual conflicts. We should sit loose to all the things of time and sense, as well to those which are lawful as those which are unlawful ; " using every thing so as not to abuse it""," and "keeping under all our bodily appetites, and bringing them into subjection, lest, after all our profession, we become reprobates'."
" Patience" is another grace which must be added to all the former. And this too, like all the form.er, must be understood in somewhat of a larger sense, not merely as a meek submission to trials, but as a persevering eftbrt to fulfil all the will of God. We are told, that " we have need of patience, that, after we have done the will of God, we may obtain the promise ^ : " and it is only " by a patient continuance in well-doing, that we ever can obtain glory, and honour, and immortality V This grace then must be added to all the rest. We must never be weary, either in doing, or in suffering, the will of God: but, as the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and
hath
''2Tim. i. 7. * 1 Chron. xii. 32. ■* Prov. iii. 21— 23.
<= Ps. ci. 2. ^ Luke xxi, 34. ^ 1 Cor. ix. 25.
" 1 Cor. vii. 29—31. ' 1 Cor. ix. 27. " Heb. x. 36. ' Rom. ii. 7.