[The idea of walking necessarily imports progress, as does that of building also. Now, no man is content with laying a foundation : he will go on to build upon it a superstructure, till at last he has completed the edifice. Thus must we also do when we receive Christ into our souls : we must build upon him all our hopes, and never cease to increase in love to him, till we have attained that complete form and size, which the all-gracious Architect has ordained11.]
3. Triumphantly —
[Grounds for sorrow we shall have, no doubt, whilst this great work is carrying forward ; but we shall have abundant cause also for praise and thanksgiving. Be it so ; our trials are great both from within and from without. But can we reflect on the gift bestowed upon us, and not be thankful? or can we contemplate the blessings attached to that gift, and not be thankful? I say then, that " thanksgiving and the voice of melody" should be heard from us, every step we take, from the beginning of our course even to the end1.]
Application —
To you, even to every one amongst you, is offered this inestimable gift —
[They who have received this gift were once as destitute and unworthy as any of you : and there is not any one amongst you, however destitute and unworthy, but may be enriched with it, if only you cry unto your God, and seek the Saviour with your whole hearts k ]
If you possess it, see that you labour to walk
worthy of it —
[Never imagine that privilege either is, or can be, uncon- nected with duty. Nor ever imagine your course of duty closed, till you shall have attained the full measure of that piety, which your union with Christ was ordained to convey.]
h Eph. ii. 20—22. * Isai. li. 3. k Isai. lv. 1—3.