suppressed. Yet the decision of his character on the occasion shews us what we should be and do, when once we have received the converting grace of God. We must enter on the duties assigned us,
1. Without hesitation —
[Many doubts will be suggested by our own corrupt hearts, how far it is necessary or expedient to devote ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ ; and our carnal friends will not fail to remonstrate with us on our new views and pursuits. They will tell us of the injury which we shall sustain in our reputa- tion and interests, if we make ourselves singular, and join our- selves to " a sect that is everywhere evil spoken of." They will beseech us with much affectionate importunity to put away these enthusiastic notions : and, if they have power over us, they will blend menaces with their entreaties. But, from whatever quarter the temptation may come, we must examine its tendency, and, as soon as we see that its effect will be to draw us back to the world, we must say to it, as our blessed Lord under similar circumstances said to Peter, " Get thee behind me, Satan : for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men." We must listen to nothing, however specious it may be, that would cause us to dissemble with God, or divert us from the path prescribed to us in his word. Our one question must be, What does my Lord and Saviour require of me ? and by that must we be de- termined, though the whole world should endeavour to obstruct our way. We must neither be allured by interest, nor deterred by fear ; but must " hate father and mother, and even our own lives also, in comparison of Christ."]
2. Without delay —
[Thus did Paul : " immediately'1'' he betook himself to the work assigned him8. Thus should we also : we should not say, Let me go home first and take leave of my friends, or bury my father : No : let the dead bury their dead : our duty is to fulfil the will of Him who has called us to his kingdom and glory. We shall occasionally feel strong temptations on this subject. When difficulties and dangers present themselves, we shall be ready to think we shall find some more convenient season, when our way will be more plain and easy. But we must, like Matthew at the receipt of custom, or like others of the Apostles at their nets, forsake all and follow Christ.]
Application —
1. Let those of you who have experienced con- verting grace, give God the glory —
s Acts ix. 19, 20.