[Do not attempt to substitute any thing of your own in the place of it. Your privileges, your professions, your ex- periences, your attainments; you must consider them all but as "loss and dung in comparison of Christ." Let it not appear a hard thing to renounce them all in point of de- pendence ; but " submit " willingly and thankfully " to the righteousness of God." It is strange that the acceptance of a free salvation should require any submission at all : but our proud hearts are averse to stoop to such an humiliating way of coming unto God. But be content to have nothing in your- selves, and all in Christ : then shall you be glorified in him, and he in you, to all eternity.]
2. To adorn the Gospel — [It is no small measure of holiness that becomes those who believe in Christ. They should endeavour " to shine as lights in a dark world11 ;" to " walk worthy of their high calling ;" yea, " worthy also of him that hath called them to his kingdom and glory." They should seek to be " holy as He is holy," and " perfect as He is perfect." Doubtless those who preach to others should, like the shepherds of old, go before their flocks in every thing that is excellent and praise- worthy: they should be " examples, not to the world only, but to believers also, in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in love, in purity1." They should be able to say to others, " Whatsoever ye have seen and heard in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you." Would to God that he who now is endeavouring to teach you, may himself learn, and exemplify, these lessons more than he has ever yet done !
But the duty of holiness pertains equally to all. O
be persuaded to press after the highest attainments in it, and so to make your light shine before men, that all who behold you may be constrained to glorify God in your behalf.]
h Phil. ii. 15. Matt. vii. 13—16. i 1 Tim. iv. 12.