less than eight times in eleven verses does he repeat this appeal; so conscious was he that he had exerted himself to the utmost of his power to promote the welfare of his fellow-creatures, and the glory of his God.
In the appeal before us we may notice,
I. The duty of Christians —
The first great duty of those to whom the Gospel comes, is to believe in Christ a. But yet even this is subservient to a higher end, even to the attainment of holiness, and the glorifying of God by a heavenly conversation. The Christian is not to be satisfied with low attainments, but to walk worthy of his God ; to walk worthy of him,
1. As his Governor —
[God has given us a law which is a perfect transcript of his mind and will. This law is to be the rule of our conduct. In obeying it therefore we must not select the easier parts, and overlook the precepts which are more difficult : we must not attempt to reduce the standard to our practice; but rather endeavour to raise our practice to the standard. We should not inquire, How little can I do, and yet escape punishment? but rather, What can I do to please and honour my Divine Master ? How shall I commend to others his government ? How shall I convince them that his service is perfect freedom ? How shall I illustrate his perfections by my own conduct? How shall I make my light so to shine before them, that all who behold it shall be constrained to glorify my God, and to take upon them his light and easy yoke ?]
2. As his Benefactor —
[God has " called" his people, not by the word only, but also by "the effectual working of his power:" he has called them to be subjects of" his kingdom" on earth, and heirs of " his glory" in heaven b. This distinguishing grace calls for every possible expression of love and gratitude. Our one inquiry therefore should be, " What shall I render unto the Lord for all the benefits that he hath done unto me ? How shall I walk worthy of such a Benefactor? Shall not my soul overflow with love to him ? Shall I not " delight myself in him ;" and " present myself a living sacrifice to him ;" and
a 1 John iii. 23. and John vi. 28, 29. b Eph. ii. 19. 2 Thess. ii. 13. u 2