II. The duties—
These are manifestly contained in the words of our text, partly by implication, and partly as directly expressed —
1. We should be aware of our danger —
[There is not any thing more prejudicial to the Christian than a presumptuous security : yet how extremely common is it in the Church of God ! The professors of religion see, and condemn, this evil amongst their less-enlightened neighbours, and yet are unconscious of its existence in themselves. They even see it in each other; but almost every one conceives him- self to be an exception from the rest : others may be ensnared by the world, or deceived by their own corrupt hearts, or be- guiled by Satan, or drawn aside into some wrong sentiments or habits by their brethren ; but / am clear ; I am right ; / am in no danger. But let all of us look back, and trace the workings of our own hearts, and we shall find reason to acknow- ledge either that we have already, on many occasions, been impeded in our Christian course, or that, if we have not, it has been owing to the exceeding and abundant grace of God towards us. We should be deeply sensible of our own frailty ; and should shun the means and occasions of sin, as much as sin itself. We should " not be high-minded, but fear ; " and, " whilst we most think that we stand, we should take heed lest we fall." Not that it is desirable for any one to be brought into bondage, or to live under the influence of slavish fear : but, an humble filial fear is desirable at all times ; such a fear, I mean, as drives us to the Lord for safety, and leads us to put our whole trust in him. In this sense, " blessed is the man that feareth alway."]
2. We should have a fixed and determined purpose to cleave unto the Lord—
[Let me not be misunderstood, as if I would recommend any one to make resolutions in his own strength : the example of Peter may shew us the folly of such confidence : he who one hour declared that he would sooner die with Christ than deny him, denied him the next hour with oaths and curses. But in the Lord's strength we may, and must resolve. " My heart is fixed, my heart is fixed, I will sing and give praise unto the Lord," was a resolution worthy to be formed ; as was that also of Joshua, that though all Israel should depart from God, " he and his house would serve the Lord." Indeed without such a fixed purpose of heart, we shall become the sport of every temptation. We must determine, through grace, that we will be faithful to our God ; that neither the allurements of life, nor the terrors of death, shall induce us