are who may hope to persevere in the good way ? I answer,
1. Those who are still advancing in the face of difficulties —
[Where there is nothing to try our faith and patience, no conclusions can be drawn respecting the principle of grace that is within us ; but, when we are fighting against the world, and the flesh, and the devil, and maintaining the conflict undis- mayed, we may be sure that God is with us of a truth : and a certainty that " God hath begun a good work within us, is a just ground of confidence, that he will carry it on, and perfect it to the end^" God has promised that "he will keep the feet of his saints :" and that " the righteous shall hold on his way, and he who hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger." If then we have an evidence within ourselves, that we are indeed endeavouring to approve ourselves to God in a holy and consistent conduct, we need not alarm ourselves about future trials, but may safely and confidently commit the keeping of our souls to God, assured, that he will order every thing for us, and that " as our day of trial is, so shall our strength to meet it be."]
2. Those who regard the salvation of their souls as that one object which they are determined at all events to attain —
[If a man have not thoroughly learned that lesson, that his soul is of more value than the whole world, it matters not what his present attainments be; he has no security whatever against a speedy and final apostasy. But, if he be determined in his heart, that, whatever come, he will not barter away his soul, or suffer the salvation of it to be compromised, that man will stand : " he has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from him." The faith of such an one may be but weak at present ; but it shall prevail at last : and because he believes to the valuing of his soul, his faith will operate to the saving of his soul.
Lower than this we cannot go ; but thus low we must : for it is not the measure of a man's attainments, so much as the reality of his faith, that we are concerned to inquire after. It is the Lord Jesus Christ alone that can carry on the work effectually in the heart even of the most advanced Christian : and if he see in the least and meanest of his people, that their hearts are upright towards him, " he will carry the lambs in his bosom," and " suffer none to pluck them out of his hands."]
s Phil. i. G.