are taught to come to Christ as their righteousness and strength" ; but they still cherish self-righteousness and self- dependence. They are instructed to die unto the world, and to live unto Godx; but they still continue alive to the world, and dead to God. But what will their hearing profit them, if they will not keep the word they hear ? To what purpose do they cry, Lord ! Lord! if they will not do his willy ? Let such then know that they deceive themselves z; and that they must both embrace in their hearts, and exemplify in their lives, the word of God, if ever they would be blessed in their deeds a.]
3. Those who both hear and keep it —
[Whatever the world may say of these persons, they are, and shall be, blessed. The Lord Jesus Christ pronounces them so, and will himself impart the blessedness that he has reserved for them. Go on then, holding forth, and holding fast, the word of life b. You will find numberless temptations to for- sake the good way ; but keep it steadfastly unto the end. You may meet with trials for your adherence to the word ; but your consolations shall be sure to abound above all your tri- bulations0; and strength shall be given you according to your dayd. Even in this world you shall have no reason to repent of your steadfastness ; and in the world to come your blessed- ness shall be complete.]
11 Isai. xlv. 24. x 1 Pet. ii. 24. 2 Cor. v. 15.
y Lukevi. 46. z Jam. i. 22. a Jam. i. 23—25.
b Phil.ii. 16. c 2 Cor. i. 5. d Deut. xxxiii. 25.