knowing, that, if they will but make a just use of it, it will, as God's instrument, accomplish every end for which it has been sent, and perfect the whole of God's work within them.]
What, then, shall now be my parting advice to you?
1. Live nigh to God —
[On this your whole stability will depend. " If you be with him, he will be with you : but, if ye forsake him, he will forsake you." The direction which God gave to Abraham, he gives alike to all his people : " Walk before me, and be perfect." We must set God ever before us, and walk as in his immediate presence ; (yet not so much impressed with fear, as with love : for Enoch walked with God ; he walked not only before him as a Master, but with him as a Friend :) going with holy bold- ness into his presence, spreading before him our every want, and desiring his aid in every difficulty. " Acquaint your- selves with God" in this way, and your souls shall " be kept in perfect peace."]
2. Make good use of his word —
[It is by his word, chiefly, that God will direct and com- fort your souls. I will not say that the Holy Spirit never operates in a way of direct and immediate agency upon the soul: but we are not to look for that, or expect it, in common cases. It is by shining upon the word, and applying it with power to our souls, that the Spirit usually works : and that we may expect ; yea, and we shall experience it too, if we medi- tate upon the word, and pray over it, and implore the Spirit's influence to seal it on our hearts. St. Peter says, " As new- born babes, desire the sincere, the unadulterated milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." You all know how a little child lives upon its mother's breast: and let it be your care to live thus upon the blessed word of God ; " esteeming it more than your necessary food," and looking for a constant communication of all needful strength through that appointed medium. Only live upon that word, and it shall surely nou- rish you unto life eternal.]
3. Keep your eyes steadily fixed on your eternal inheritance —
[The man who is in a race keeps his mind fixed, as it were, upon the prize ; which he is determined, if possible, to obtain. Do ye in like manner keep in view the prize of your high calling ; and " have respect, even as Moses had, to the recompence of the reward." In the prospect of heaven, every trial will appear light, every effort be accounted easy. What we may meet with in life, or whether we shall ever behold each other's face again in this world, God alone knows. But