Here we see that the very things which God has promised to us, are to be obtained through the medium of our own faith and love and diligence. Without these, the end shall never be obtained (for God has connected the end with the means) : but through the continued exercise of these, the end is secured beyond a possibility of failure. " God cannot deny himself":" and his word, confirmed as it is by covenant and by oath, can never fail''. " Heaven and earth may pass away : but his word shall never pass away>'."]
Application —
1. Be thankful if you are partakers of this gface — [St. Paul " thanked God always on the behalf" of the
Corinthians on this account : how much more therefore should those be thankful, who have received the benefit ! To possess this experimental knowledge of the Gospel salvation, and to enjoy these blessed prospects of immortality and glory, is the highest felicity of man. Having these " things which accom- pany salvation," we need not covet any other good, or regret any attendant evil : we have the richest blessings that God himself can bestow.]
2. Be careful to walk worthy of it —
[The mercies of God to us call for a suitable requital : and the requital which he desires is, a total surrender of ourselves to him^. The thing which God designs, in the communication of his mercy to us, is, to " keep us blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus." Let that then be our end in the improve- ment of them, even to be " blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, shining among them as lights in a dark world ^"]
3. Remember in whom all your strength is —
[Of yourselves you can do nothing. It is God, and God alone, that can " confirm you unto the end." He who has been " the Author, must also be the Finisher," of your salvation. It is " He that must work all your works in you :" " all your fresh springs must be in him." Know then, that " he is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy**:" and he will do it, if you rely upon him ; for St. Paul expressly says, " The Lord is faithful, who will stablish you, and keep you from evil^" To him therefore, even " to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, now and for ever. Amen<^."]
" 2 Tim. ii. 13. " Heb. vi. 18. y Matt. xxiv. 3.5.
» Rom. xii. 1. » Phil. ii. 15. ^ Jude, ver. 24.
« 2 Thess. ill. 3. ^ Jude, ver. 25.
1930.]