[Not only the heathen world, but thousands of Christians also, possess not the privileges which you enjoy. Not only must you, but God himself also will, bear me witness, that I have not " withheld from you any thing that was profitable for you." " I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God :" so that, if you have neglected to fulfil it, you are altogether without excuse. Call to mind, then, the instructions that have been given you : and compare with them
the state of your souls before Godh Do this, and say
whether you have not reason to fear that " stripes" will be your deserved recompence1 ]
2. What is your duty in relation to it —
[Rise to the occasion. Remember whose ye are. Ye are the Lord's : ye are his by creation : ye are his by redemption : " you are not in any respect your own : ye are bought with a price ; and therefore are bound to glorify God with your bodies and your spirits, which are God's k." Think not that ignorance will excuse you : " Say not before the angel or messenger of the Lord, that it was an error : wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands1?" Search out, with diligence, the' mind of God : lose no opportunity of obtaining a further acquaintance with it: and, whatsoever you know to be his will, " do it with all your might"1." ]
h Jam. iv. 17. * Luke x. 15. k 1 Cor. vi. 20.
1 Eccl. v. 6. m Eccl. ix. 10.