2. Of admonition in reference to its continuance —
[There is nothing at which I tremble more than at a hard, bold, presumptuous confidence respecting the application of this doctrine to a man's own state, whilst in his spirit and temper and conduct he shews himself to be far from the mind of Christ. In fact, wherever such a confidence exists, there is great reason to doubt whether a good work has ever been begun in the soul. Confidence, if truly spiritual, will be at- tended with humility, watchfulness, gratitude, and zeal. Look to it then, that you manifest on all occasions a deep sense of }7our utter unvvorthiness ; a fear lest in any thing you grieve
e Jer. xxxii. 40. f 1 Sam. xii. 22. s Eph. i. 4.
11 Rom. viii. 29. I Ps. lxxxix. 30 — 36.
the good Spirit of your God ; an admiring and adoring sense of God's mercy to your soul ; and a determination of heart to live only to your God. This is the true way in which the good work is to go forward in the soul : and, in so walking, you will best justify your confidence to the world, and will give the best proof of the doctrine of perseverance by actually per- severing : moreover, in this way you will not only enjoy the most exalted peace on earth, but will have an abundant en- trance ministered unto you in due season into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.]
Phil. i. 8 — 11. God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment ; that ye may approve things that are excellent ; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
THE connexion subsisting between a pastor and his flock is set forth in the Scriptures under the most endearing images. While they are spoken of as his beloved children, he is represented as the father that begat them, and as the nursing mother who cherishes them in her bosom. Even these images seem to have been too faint to depict the tender regard which St. Paul bore towards those who had been converted by his ministry. He longed for their welfare with more than human affection. He could compare his feelings with nothing so justly as with the yearning of the Saviour's bowels over a ruined world. Nor was he actuated by partial and personal attachments : his regards were universal : they extended to every member of Christ's mystical body : yea, he could appeal to God himself, that he felt the deepest inte- rest in the prosperity of " all," whether more or less distinguished by worldly rank or spiritual attainments. Among the various ways in which he manifests his concern for them, he was especially mindful of prayer and intercession; and though in these benevolent