thing that is wrong, he must with all the solicitude of the tenderest parent point out the snare that Satan is laying for her feet. Her Divine Husband is " a jealous God :" and a corresponding jealousy in his ministers must be ever awake to the discernment of incipient danger, and the correction of the •slightest error. This is " a godly jealousy :" it is the highest possible expression of love : and the minister who with most fidelity and aifection discharges this duty, most approves himself to God, and displays the most valuable friendship towards man : " he watches for souls, as one that must give account."]
Address —
1. Those who have given occasion for jealousy — [Is it asked, Who are they ? I answer, Those who have
either declined in their love to Christ, or have not made their profiting to appear. What would any of you feel towards an object, who, after having solemnly betrothed herself to you, and once professed towards you the most ardent affection, had ceased to delight in your society, or shewed, that her more intimate acquaintance with you produced no increase of at- tachment towards you ? Would your mind be easy ? Would you be satisfied with such equivocal professions of regard ? What then must the Lord Jesus Christ feel, and what should your ministers feel, when your whole spirit and conduct give so much reason for doubt and fear? They must be jealous ; they ought to be jealous : and towards all who come under this character we must " change our voice." We do truly "stand in doubt of" such : and we are constrained to " travail in birth with them, as it were, a second time until Christ be formed in them"." "Look well to yourselves, my brethren, that ye lose not the things that ye have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward :" for if ye draw back from the Lord Jesus Christ, either in heart or life, " his soul shall have no pleasure in you°."]
2. Those in w^hom no visible occasion of jealousy exists —
[We bless our God who has kept you thus far faithful to your engagements. Truly, " he who hath established you
in the midst of such manifold temptations is God" •
But still, though ive have no occasion to be jealous over you, it becomes you to be jealous over yourselves with a godly jealousy. For who can tell what a day or an hour may bring forth? David, when walking on the top of his house, little thought what a snare Satan had laid for him : and you little
n Gal. iv. 19, 20. " Heb. x. 38.
2041.1 ST. Paul's zeal illustrated. 613
know how sorely he may thrust at you before another day has passed over your heads. " Be not high-minded, but fear." *' Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." Take notice from time to time how your minds stand affected to the Lord Jesus Christ: mariners are often forced out of their track by currents, and never discover their deviations till they have made their observations afresh. Make your obser- vations then : Do you delight more in secret communion with Christ ? Do you think less of every sacrifice you are called to make for him ? Is it more and more the one endeavour of your soul to please him ? And are you looking forward with increasing desire for that day when you shall be intimately and indissolubly united to him, and spend an eternity in the fruition of his love ? By such marks as these you may judge of your own state, and acquire a confidence in relation to his judg- ment also. Leave nothing in suspense. Give yourselves to him : walk with him : cleave to him with full purpose of heart : and " be diligent that ye may at last be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless p."
And now to his holy keeping we commend you; even to him, " who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. To whom be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen "i."]