connecting the means with the end, as the joint objects which God, in his eternal purpose, has determined to accomplish.']
The meaning of the text being ascertained, the duty contained in it is clear —
[There is a connexion between all the graces of the Spirit : they are so many links in a chain, no one of which can be disjiensed with. If we have faith, we must add to it •* valour," tiiat shall encounter difficulties ; " knowledge," that shall regulate the whole of our deportment; " temperance," that shall make us indifferent to the pleasures of sense ; " i)atience," that shall carry us through all hardships ; " god- liness," that shall fill us with a delight in heavenly things ; •' brotherly-kindness," that shall knit us to every member of Christ's mystical body ; and " charity," that shall engage us in all offices of love even to our very enemies. All of these graces we should cultivate ; and, having attained any measure of them, we should seek to grow in them daily ; resting in no attainment " till we come to the measure of the full stature of Christ »!."
In labouring after these things, we shall " make our calling and election sure :" we shall not only prove that we have been elected of God, and called by his grace, but shall " strengthen the things that remain," and ^' viakejirm" the work that has been begun in our souls. Indeed the very pursuit of virtue must in itself tend (in proportion as we are diligent) to keep us from declension**: and it is certain, that God will prosper those who conscientiously labour to approve themselves to him'.]
To aid us in the discharge of our duty, the Apostle sets promises before us for,
II. Our encouragement —
*' Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." But more particularly God engages to give his diligent and devoted people,
1. A stedfast life —
[It too often happens that professors of religion are left to dishonour their holy calling by open and scandalous offences : nor have any of us any security against such falls, excej)! as we are upheld in God's everlasting arms. But this security shall be affiirded to the zealous and faithful follower of Christ. He will doubdess feel, even to his latest hour, that he is a poor imperfect creature : but he shall be kept
from « vcr. 5— 7. '' Trov. iii. 21— 23. ' 2 Chron. xv. 2.