diligence that humility and contrition, that faith and love, that purity and holiness, that zeal and devotedness to God, which are the distinguishing characters of all who shall ultimately attain the kingdom of heaven. If you are " without Christ, you are without hopes:" but if you flee to him for refuge, you may be perfectly assured of acceptance with him1.]
2. Those who are harassed with doubts and fears —
[There are many, of whom there is reason to hope well, who yet do not enjoy that comfort in their minds which the religion of Christ is calculated to impart. In some this dis- quietude arises from imperfect views of the Gospel : they do not see the freeness and fulness of that salvation that is pro- vided for them in the Gospel ; and they are looking for some qualifications in themselves to warrant their confidence in the Saviour. They do not distinguish aright between the offices of faith and hope : they do not see that the vilest creatures under heaven are warranted to believe in Christ for salvation, and to hope for acceptance with him in his appointed icay of penitence and faith ; but that to hope for heaven as persons actually brought into a state of salvation, requires an evidence in our own souls, that we are, in a measure at least, trans- formed into the Divine image. To such persons then we would say, Do not look for qualifications in yourselves to warrant your application to Christ, or your affiance in him ; but, whilst you accept salvation freely through his blood and righteousness, look to him also for the communications of his grace to renew and sanctify your hearts, and to make you meet for his inheritance. With some indeed these doubts and fears originate rather in a consciousness of some unmortified lust, or of habitual negligence in the divine life : and where this is the case, we must declare, that peace and confidence would be a curse to them. We must "awake to righteousness, and not sin," if we would have any comfortable evidence that we are the Lord's people, or any happiness in looking forward to the eternal world. But, from whatever cause men's doubts arise, we would address to them that encouraging exhortation, "Turn ye to your strong hold, ye prisoners of hopeu."]
3. Those who have a good hope through grace —
[Rejoice in the exalted privilege to which God has called you; and endeavour to render to the Lord according to the benefits he has conferred upon you. It is said by St. John, that, "he that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself even as Christ is purex." Take care then that your hope operate in this way : let it stir you up to the utmost possible exertions in the
3 Epli. ii. 12. l Ps. cxxx. 7,8. John vi. 37.
u Zech. ix. 12. x 1 John iii. 3.