gained without much exertion, much less is a heavenly crown : " the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence ; and the violent take it hy force0." But " there is a rest remaining for youp;" and that rest is now very near at hand. Look then at the racer in his course : does not the thought of his having nearly finished his labours animate him to increased exertions ? So then should you " forget the things that are behind, and press on to the goal for the prize of your high calling^;" and never think that you have attained any thing as long as any thing remains to be attained,]
2. The completion of all your hopes —
[Soon will God's work of grace be perfected within you, and " a crown of glory be awarded to you as having been faithful unto death1." And will you by listlessness and in- difference endanger the loss of all the glory and felicity of heaven ? Awake, I say, and " run with patience the race that is set before you, looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of your faith s." Make more use of the great principles of the Gospel than ever you have yet done. " Look more to Christ* :" " live more entirely by faith upon himu." Get his image more formed upon your hearts. Live only for him, and " to himx:" and speedily shall you be " seated with him upon his throne y," and be a joint-heir with him of his inheritance2.]
But let me not close without a few words to unbe- lievers—
[If believers need such an admonition as this, what, think ye, do ye need ? What words can ever be too strong for you, who have never fled to Christ for refuge, or believed in him for the saving of your souls ? Truly your end also is near : but " who can tell what that end shall be a ?" Alas ! an inspired Apostle declares to you, that " your judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and your damnation slumbereth notV Surely then " it is high time for you to awake out of sleep ;" for, if death find you unprepared to meet your God, your con- dition will be such, that it would be " better for you that you had never been born."]
° Matt. xi. 12. p Heb. iv. 9. q Phil. iii. 13, 14.
r Rev. ii. 10. s Heb. xii. 2. l Isai. xlv. 22.
u Gal. ii. 20. x Rom. xiv. 7, 8. v Rev. iii. 21.
z Rom. viii. 17. a 1 Pet. iv. 17. b 2 Pet. ii. 3.