soon see that, however " man may devise his way, God alone can direct his steps."
Once more : — It is God alone that can uphold us in the dis- charge of such duties. Recall to mind all that has been set forth under the images to which my text refers ; and then say, " Who is sufficient for these things?" Who can support the soul, so as that neither the world with all its temptations, nor the flesh with all its corruptions, nor the devil with all his wiles, shall be able to divert it from the path of duty, or to obstruct its progress in the heavenly life — who can do this but God alone ? I say then, look to God to give you these high attainments, and to " fulfil in you all the good pleasure of his goodness." Limit not either his power or his grace ; but " open your mouth wide, and he will fill it."
I conclude with repeating the injunction in my text : " Con- sider what I say ; and the Lord will give you understanding in all things."]
Paul's love to the elect exemplified.
2 Tim. ii. 10. I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
THE labours of faithful ministers are, for the most part, but ill requited by a wicked and ungrate- ful world. But, in the midst of all the opposition they meet with, they have the consolation to know, that all efforts to stop the progress of the Gospel shall be in vain. This was St. Paul's comfort, when imprisoned at Rome for the word's sake, that, how- ever he might be bound, the word was not ; and " therefore" he submitted the more cheerfully to his troubles, being assured, that his endeavours to save the souls of his fellow- creatures would be crowned with success.
This subject leads us to consider,
\. St. Paul's love to the elect —
Notwithstanding the word "elect" has passed into a term of reproach, there most assuredly is an elect people, " a remnant according to the election of
2246.1 Paul's love to the elect. 27
grace %" whom " God has chosen to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit, and behef of the truth ^"
Towards these St. Paul felt a peculiar regard — [He loved all, even his very enemies, and would gladly have submitted to the heaviest afflictions for their sake^ But his love to the elect was both more exalted in its nature, and more abundant in its degree. He considered them as the special objects of God's love; as children of the same heavenly parent ; as members of the same mystical body ; and as fellow-heirs of the same glory. Hence they were all engraven on his very heart : and hence he exhorts us, while we do good unto all men, to do it more especially unto the household of faith '^.]
For their sake he willingly endured e\'ery trouble that could come upon him —
[No man ever endured so much as he in his Master's cause. This we may see from the long catalogue of his troubles which he himself has left us^ But, says he, " None of these things move me*':" " I rejoice in my sufferings for the elect's sakes^:" *' most gladly will I spend and be spent for them, though the more abundantly I love them, the less I be loved ^ :" I am' so " affectionately desirous of them, that I am willing to impart to them, not the Gospel only, but my own soul also, because they are dear unto me':" " yea, if I be offered (and my blood be poured out as a libation) upon the sacrifice and service of their faith, I joy and rejoice with them all, and desire them also to joy and rejoice with me"^;" for, so far am I from looking forward to it with fear, or accounting it an occasion of grief, that I esteem it a blessed subject of mutual congratulations.]