1. Endure all trials —
[In following his Divine Master, he may be called to suffer reproaches, privations, torments, and death itself. But " none of these can move him." When his heart is right with God, he can " rejoice that he is counted worthy to suffer shame for his Redeemer's sakea:" he can " suffer the loss of all things, and yet count them but dungb;" under extreme torture, he can refuse to accept deliverance, in the prospect of " a better resurrection0:" he can say, " I am ready to die for the Lord's saked;" and when presented at the stake as a sacrifice to be slain, he can look upon his sufferings as a matter of self- congratulation and exceeding joye.]
2. Mortify all lusts—
[Great are his inward corruptions; and many are the temptations to call them forth : but he is enabled to mortify and subdue themf. " The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life," are very fascinating: but " the grace of God, which has brought salvation to his soul, has taught him to deny them all, and to live righteously, soberly, and godly in this present worlds." " By the great and precious promises of the Gospel, he is made a partaker of the Divine nature11," and is stirred up to " cleanse himself from all filthi- ness, both of flesh and spirit, and to perfect holiness in the fear of God1."]
3. Fulfil all duties—
[Every different situation brings with it some corre- spondent duties : prosperity demands humility and vigilance ; adversity calls for patience and contentment. Now the Chris- tian is " like a tree that is planted by the rivers of water, and bringeth forth its fruits in its season*-." It is to this change of circumstances that the Apostle more immediately refers in the text : " I have learned," says he, " in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound : everywhere, and in all things, I am instructed, both to be full, and to be hungry ; both to abound, and to suffer need. I can do all things1." The Christian knows that all his duties are summed up in love to God, and love to man: he is assured, that no changes in his condition can for one moment relax his obligation to approve himself to God in the execution of these duties : and he en-
a Acts v. 41. b Phil. iii. 8. • Heo. xi. 35.
" Acts xxi. 13. e phil. ii. 17,' 18. 1 Pet. iv. 12, 13.
f Gal. v. 24. e 1 John ii. 15, 16. with Tit. ii. 12.
h 2 Pet. i. 4. i 2 Cor. vii. 1. * Ps. i. 3.
1 ver. 11—13.