■would have no acquaintance : they would not so much as listen to them : but, discerning at once their evil tendency, they re- jected them with abhorrence.
It would be well if Christians at this day would imitate them in this respect. But, alas ! Many have " itching ears :" and though they know before-hand the malignant tendency and baneful effects of Antinomian doctrines, they will gratify their curiosity at the risk of their souls ; and often flutter round the candle till they perish in the flames.]
To these our Lord enjoined nothing but stedfast- ness in the truths they had received —
[He would not lay upon them any needless " burthen," or painful trial, beyond what they at present endured''. But it was indispensably necessary that they should maintain their holy principles, and ])ious practices, firm unto the end. Many would be their temptations to " make shipwreck of their faith and of a good conscience :" but they must " hold fast" both the one and the other : nor ever relinquish either, till the Lord Jesus Christ himself should " come" to reward their fidelity.
Such is the injunction given to all the servants of the Lord. None have made s\ich proficiency as not to need it : for, as long as we are on the field of battle, we are in danger of being vanquished, unless we fight manfully in dependence on our God. Who that considers the fall of Solomon, must not fear lest he himself also should ^' be led away with the error of the wicked, and fall from his own stedfastness." VV^ho that had seen him, endued with such consummate wisdom, and leading the devotions of the people at the dedication of the temple, would have thought that his heart should ever be drawn away by foolish women to renounce his God, and to build temples for idols ? " Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." And let the prospect of our Lord's coming to judge the world, make us diligent, that, in that day, we may " be found of him in peace, without spot, and blame- less."]
We pass on to notice,
IV. The encouragement given them to maintain their integrity — To the stedfast and victorious, our Lord promises two things :
] . That they shall '* have power over the nations" — [As this promise is made to those only who have " kept
Christ's
* The word " burthen" seems to refer to 2 Kin. ix. 25. before cited,