in such offices ; and you will never be satisfied till you attain this heavenly disposition, nor ever think that you can exercise it too much.]
2. Do not overvalue it —
[If you put your own benevolence in the place of Christ, and rely on that to purchase the remission of your sins, you will then indeed build on a foundation of sand. Know, that however much you may abound in acts of benevolence, " you are still unprofitable servants, who have done only what it was your duty to do." If you really seek the glory of God in w^hat you do, your services will come up with acceptance before him, and they will be to him as an odour of a sweet smell. But you must never forget that " your goodness extendeth not to God," nor can confer any obhgation upon him. On the contrary, the more you do for him, the more you are indebted to him; because " all your power either to will or do what is good, is from him alone." " It is not you that do it, but the grace of God that is with you."]
3. Endeavour to abound in it more and more —
[See the character of holy Job : " When the ear heard nie, then it blessed me ; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me : because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him : the blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me ; and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy""." O what a lovely character was that ! What a bright resemblance of the Saviour, " who went about doing good ! " Dear brethren, set this example before you, and strive to imitate it to the utmost of your power. Thus will you shine as lights in the world ; and thus " fulfilling the law of Christ"," you will ensure his approbation in the day of judgment".]
m Job xxix. 11 — 13. n Gal. vi. 3.
° Heb. vi. 10. 1 Tim. vi. 17—19.