and strive to " perfect holiness in the fear of God." Nothing must satisfy us, but the attainment of " God's perfect image in righteousness and true holiness." If the law is our rule, Christ himself must be our pattern : we must endeavour to " walk in all things as he walked," and to " purify ourselves even as he is pure." Nothing short of absolute perfection should satisfy our minds : we should strive to be " holy, as God himself is holy," and to be " perfect, even as our Father which is in heaven is perfect."
Now, need I say that these efforts are very rarely seen ? and that, when seen, they are almost univer- sally discountenanced and discouraged ? Cautions in plenty are given, " not to be righteous over-much:" but who ever hears the friendly caution, to "be righteous enough ?" If we are outwardly decent and moral, we may be as regardless of the state of our souls before God as we please, and no one will warn us of our danger : but, if the love of Christ constrain us to devote ourselves altogether unto him, there is a general alarm respecting us ; and nothing is heard but cautions and warnings on every side.
Let it not be imagined that I would recommend any thing that savours of real enthusiasm or fana- ticism : so far from it, I would discourage these evils to the utmost of my power : but, if love to God and love to man be, by common consent, as it were, branded with these names, I say, let not any man be deterred from the performance of his duty by any opprobrious names whatever ; but let every one aspire after universal holiness, and seek to "stand perfect and complete in all the will of Godp."
One thing more would I say ; namely this : In your obedience to the law, be willing servants. We are not to serve the Lord " grudgingly, or of necessity," but " with a willing mind." What St. Paul has spoken on this head deserves peculiar attention. He says, " Now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held : that we should serve
p Col. iv. 12,