salvation ;" for the Gospel still is, no less than in the Apostolic age, " the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth."]
We would IMPROVE this subject,
1. In a way of inquiry —
[Have you received this Gospel as you ought ? We ask not whether you have a mere notional and speculative belief of it ; for that is common to all who bear the Christian name : but have you such a faith in Christ as enables you to rejoice in all that he has done, and is yet doing, for you ? Do you glory in him, and renounce every other ground of hope, and " cleave to him with full purpose of heart?" Do not deceive yourselves in relation to these things ; for no faith is saving but that which brings you daily to the foot of his cross, and causes you to receive daily out of his fulness all the blessings which you stand in need of.]
2. In a way of caution —
[Those who are fettered by human systems pass over such cautions as are given in our text : but we dare not act thus. We are persuaded that cautions against apostasy are as necessary in their place as promises of perseverance. Attend then to the caution about " holding fast " what has been preached to you. Innumerable are the cautions given us in the Scriptures upon this head : and it is by a salutary fear of apostasy that God will keep us=. " Beware then lest, being led away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own steadfastness*^." Know where your strength is, even in your risen and exalted Saviour ; and live altogether by faith in him, " holding fast your confidence, and the rejoicing of your hope firm unto the end'."]
3. In a way of encouragement —
[Cleave thus unto the Lord Jesus Christ, and " ye shall be saved." However numerous or powerful your enemies may be, they shall not prevail against you : for " greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." If indeed Christ be not able to keep you, then you may well give way to fears : but, if his death be a sufficient atonement for the sins of the whole world, and all power in heaven and in earth be committed to him for the use of his Church and people, then you may dismiss all fear: for, though only a worm in yourselves, you shall " thresh the mountains." Be strong then, ye fearful and faint-hearted : for " he will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax, but will bring
e 1 Cor. ix. 27. ^ 2 Pet. iii. 17. * Heb. iii. 6.