Let us then engage in it,
a
Ps. xl. 7, 8. b Luke xii. 50. c Heb. v. 7.
d He was filled with joy at the least prospect of success, ver. 35. and he grieved and wept when he could not succeed, Mark iii. 5. Luke xix. 41.
e John ii. 17. f Luke ii. 34. e John xi. 8.
h John vi. 29. ' Rom. xii. 1.
x
o
1. Heartily —
[" Whatever our hand findeth to do, we should do it with all our might k." A lukewarm service is unacceptable, yea, hateful to God K Let us then first labour to know the will of God, and then endeavour to do it with our whole hearts. Let us be " fervent in spirit, while we serve the Lord"1."]
2. Uniformly —
[It is not an occasional act of zeal that will please God, but a steady conscientious, uniform discharge of our duty. Our spirit, alas ! is often faint; and even, when " the spirit is willing, our flesh is weak." But we must counteract our sloth, and " give all diligence to make our calling and election sure"."]
3. Courageously —
[We shall surely meet with reproach and persecution, if we set ourselves in earnest to serve the Lord0. But let us " remember him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himselfp." Woe be to us if we draw back through the fear of man0-. We must hate, not only father and mother, but even our own life also, if we would be Christ's Disciples1". Let us then " take up our cross daily" after Christ's example, and " suffer with him, in order that we may be also glorified together8."]
Address —
1. Those who are unconcerned about the work of
God—
[Has not God appointed you a work to do ; and ought you not to have begun it long ago? Is it expedient to leave it to a dying hour ? What if you should die before it is finished ? O, begin instantly; for the " night cometh, wherein no man can work."]
2. Those who do his work deceitfully —
[God has pronounced such persons accursed, no less than if they did nothing for him'. His service must be your "meat" and drink; the joy of your souls, and the business of your lives. See then that ye " approve yourselves to God as servants that need not be ashamed"."]
3. Those who are in a measure conformed to their Saviour's image —
k Eccles. ix. 10. ' Rev. iii. 15, 16. m Rom. xii. 11.
n 2 Pet. i. 10. ° 2 Tim. iii. 12. p Heb. xii. 3.
i Heb. x. 38. r Luke xiv. 26. s Rom. viii. 1 7.
t Jer. xlviii. 10. « 2 Tim. ii. 15.