towards God and man ! Now it is of infinite importance, to the honour of religion and the comfort of our own souls, that these defects be remedied as much as possible ; that we be more and more delivered from the influence of corrupt passions ; and that we be kept sincere and upright until the day of Christ.
But how shall this steadfastness be attained ? We can pre- scribe no better means than those referred to in the text. A loving spirit, abounding in clear, spiritual, and impressive views of divine truth, will assist us greatly in the whole of our con- duct. A feeling sense of the love of Christ upon our hearts will fortify us against every temptation ; it will make our walk circumspect, our conscience tender, our zeal ardent, our obe- dience uniform.]
3. More diligent — [In estimating a fruit-free, our principle inquiry respects its fruit: its foliage and blossoms are objects comparatively unimportant. Thus the principles and professions, the ex- periences and habits of a Christian, are no further valuable, than as they are connected with the substantial fruits of right- eousness. His love, whether to God or man, must lead to active exertions, and must shew itself in the practice of uni- versal holiness. He should be like a tree whose boughs are laden with fruit. Such a Christian adorns his profession, and recommends religion to all who behold him: and the fruit which he bears, by virtue derived from Christ, does, through the merits of Christ, ascend up with acceptance before God ; and tends exceedingly to exalt the honour of God in the world. Such fruitfulness, I say, is the great end of all the mercies vouchsafed unto him, and of all the love which he professes to feel towards Christ and his people.
But how shall this be secured ? We can recur to nothing more effectual than that already mentioned. If we increase in a spiritual perception of the excellency and importance of the Gospel, we cannot fail of being stirred up to activity and diligence in the ways of God : we shall not be satisfied with bringing forth thirty or sixty-fold, but shall labour to bring forth fruit an hundred-fold, and to be "filled with" it in all seasons, and under all circumstances. " Give me understand- ing," says David, "and I shall keep thy law, yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart."]
Application —
[While we admire the Apostle's tender solicitude for the souls of men, let us cherish a just regard for our own souls ; and, by mutual exhortations and fervent intercessions, endea- vour to the utmost to advance the interests of religion, in each other, and in the world at large.]