and made himself " a propitiation for the sins of the whole world." How awful then the thought that any should " perish, for whom Christ died ! " What a bitter reflection will it be to such persons in the eternal world, that Christ died for them, and yet they would not seek for salvation from him ! O that this may not be our unhappy state ! Let us look to him, and believe in him, and live by faith upon him now, that we may live with him for evermore.]
2. Let US meditate much upon his love —
[Were we but duly sensible of his love to us, we could not refrain from loving and serving him. O think what a subject for contemplation this is ! It has been the one theme of praise and adoration in heaven for thousands of years, and will be to all eternity ; and shall we not delight in the contemplation of it? It has "a height and depth, and length and breadth, that is utterly unsearchable." Beloved brethren, meditate upon it, till the fire kindle in your hearts, and you be con- strained to " glorify him with your bodies and your spirits which are his."]
3. Let us endeavour to answer the true end of all his love —
[You have heard what this was, even " that you should not henceforth live unto yourselves, but unto him." Now, then, set about the blessed work. Let the pleasures, the riches, the honours of the world be to you as the dirt under your feet : " be crucified to the world, and let the world be crucified unto you." And begin to walk as Christ walked, and to follow the example which St. Paul has set you. Let the world despise you, if they please ; seek ye the approbation of your God : and when they, like Michal, deride your piety, say ye with holy David, " If this is to be vile, I will be yet more vile than thus'."]
i 2 Sam. vi. 22.