" I exhort you by the Lord Jesus!" By this sacred name I would also beseech you, beloved brethren : I would entreat you,
1. By the consideration of all that he has done and suffered for you —
[Can you reflect on the humiliation, the labours, the suf- ferings to which he submitted for you, and not long to requite him to the utmost of your power? He never assigned any bounds to his love, and will you fix any bounds to yours ? He never ceased from his work, till he could say, " It is finished :" and will you stop short in yours ? O brethren, " this is our wish, even your perfection11." Let the same be your wish, your labour, your continual pursuit.]
2. By the consideration of all the interest that he
yet takes in your welfare —
[Night and day is he occupied in promoting the salvation of your souls. Though seated on his Father's throne, and partaking of all his Father's glory, he is not forgetful of you. On the contrary, he is making continual intercession for you, and administering the affairs of the whole creation for your good. Does he see you deviating in any respect from the path which he trod ? " Father," he cries, " forgive them, and lay not this sin to their charge." Does he see the powers of darkness striving to ensnare you ? He sends a host of angels to your aid, that they may " minister unto you," and " hold you up in their hands, that you dash not your foot against a stone." Does he see you ready to faint in your spiritual course ? " Go," says he, " go, my Spirit, strengthen the hands, and encourage the heart, of that drooping saint :" " Take of the things that are mine, and shew them unto him :" " glorify me before him :" and " fulfil in him all my good pleasure."
Now then, when the Saviour thus cares for you, will you intermit your care for him ? When he is thus managing your concerns, will you not with increasing confidence commit them to his care ? When he is doing every thing that can possibly be done for you, will you leave any thing undone that can be done for him ?]
3. By the consideration of the honour he will derive
from you —
[He himself tells us, that " his Father is glorified in our fruitfulnessV And St. Paul speaks of Christ also as mag- nified in his body, whether by life or deaths What a thought
» 2 Cor. xiii. 9. x John xv. 8. y Phil. i. 20.