talents committed to us : nor can we doubt but that the tokens of God's approbation that we shall receive, shall be propor- tioned to the sacrifices we have made, and the exertions we have used in his service0.]
3. Beneficial to man —
[It is usually supposed that a compliance with the direc- tions in the text would weaken our faculties, and so distract our minds as to render us unfit for the common offices of life. But the very reverse of this is known to be true by all those who make the experiment. Heavenly-mindedness tends to " perfect" the man of God in all his faculties, and " thoroughly to furnish him unto all good works." Till this takes possession of the soul, a man is the sport of every temptation, and liable to be led captive by every lust : but grace will establish his heart ; it will bring a consistency into his whole conduct ; it will change him into the very image of God ; and will render him " meet for the inheritance of the saints in light."]
Address —
1. Those who are yet conformed to the world — [If you are free from gross vices, you do not apprehend
your conformity to the world to be any reason for questioning the safety of your state. But it is scarcely possible for God to declare in more express terms your guilt and danger, than he has done in various parts of Holy Writ1. You are therefore reduced to this alternative, either to come out of Sodom, or to perish in it; either to enter in at the strait gate, and walk in the narrow way, or to fall into that destruction that awaits you at the end of the broad and frequented path. O that God may enable you to choose the good part; and to adhere to it in spite of all the odium your singularity may bring upon you !]
2. Those who profess to have experienced a trans- formation of soul —
[You need to be much upon your guard lest " after you have escaped the pollutions of the world, you should be again entangled therein and overcome s." It is your wisdom to avoid temptation, and to guard against the snares that are laid for your feet. However circumspectly you may walk, you will find reason enough to lament your manifold defects. Lay not then any stumbling-blocks in your own way ; but seek rather to experience the transforming efficacy of the Gospel : let the world be crucified unto you, and be ye crucified unto
q Matt. xxv. 20 — 23.
r John xvii. 16. Gal. i. 4. 2 John ii. 15, 16. Jam. iv. 4.
s 2 Pet. ii. 20.