whole deportment : and if we so employ our powers, we may be sure that our progress in the divine life will be advanced, rather than impeded, by these holy self-abasing exercises. In truth, if with David we desire that " the beauty of the Lord our God may be upon usa," it is by this assemblage of graces, so qualified and so tempered, that we must attain the desired blessing.
And now let me entreat, that all, who have heard the subjects which have been discussed, will bear in mind their true scope and intent. Let our aim be high : let our desires be enlarged : let none of us be satisfied with low attainments in religion : let us be content with nothing less than being " filled with all the fulness of God." Let us take our incarnate God himself for our pattern : for we are expressly told, that "he has set us an example, that we should follow his stepsb." "Let the same mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus0," that so " Christ himself may be formed in usd." You have seen what self-denial he exercised for us : what then, I would ask, should we not be ready either to do or to suffer for him? Should there be any bounds to our gratitude and zeal and love ? Truly, if we be not brought to a sense of his love, and a corresponding devotedness of heart to him, I shall have spoken in vain, or rather worse than in vain : for " the word, which should have been a savour of life to our salvation, will only prove a savour of death," to our heavier condemna- tion6. But I trust you will not suffer the subject to pass from your minds with the occasion that has brought it before you ; but that you will seek to ex- perience it, in all its sanctifying and saving efficacy. Let " the love of Christ" be contemplated by you, till it has " constrained you to live altogether unto him :" and never cease to " behold, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, till you are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord'."
a Ps. xc. 17. b 1 Pet. ii. 21. c Phil. ii. 5.
d Gal. iv. 19. e 2 Cor. ii. 16. * 2 Cor. iii. 18.