that his pretensions to faith must be supported by a suitable life and conversation1"; and it is his determination, through grace, to shew forth his faith by his works.]
That he does not find it vain to serve God, will appear by considering,
III. The reward which he ensures to himself thereby —
The world suppose that the service of God is irk- some and unprofitable ; but the Christian can attest the contrary from his own experience —
In the very act of obeying he finds a rich reward —
[He can adopt, in reference to the law, the declaration of St. Paul s — . However strict the commandments be, he does not account them grievous1: on the contrary, he feels " the ways of religion to be pleasantness and peace11." His deli- verance from impetuous passions is no small source of happi- ness : his exercise of benevolent affections greatly tranquillizes his mindx. The testimony of his own conscience is a rich and continual feast y. Moreover God himself will vouchsafe to him delightful tokens of his approbation. He will shed abroad his love in the hearts of his faithful servants ; He will lift upon them the light of his applauding countenance ; and " seal them with the Spirit of promise, as the earnest of their inheritance." Thus, in the most literal sense, is that expression realized2; and the description, alluded to in the text, is abundantly verified a.]
A still more glorious recompence also awaits him in the future world —
[Many are extremely cautious of asserting this truth. They are afraid lest they should be thought to be advocates for the doctrine of human merit; but there is no truth more clear than that our works shall be rewarded b. Nor does this at all interfere with the doctrines of grace. Our persons and our services are equally accepted through Christ0, and our happiness will be altogether the gift of God for his sake : but our works will assuredly be the measure of our reward*1, and we may with propriety be stimulated by the hope of a future recompence e. Let the Christian then know, that not the
r Jam. ii. 17 — 20. s Rom. vii. 22. ' 1 John v. 3.
u Prov. iii. 17. x Isai. xxxii. 17. * 2 Cor. i. 12.
* Ps. xix. 11. a Ps. i. 1—3. b Rom. ii. 6.
« 1 Pet. ii. 5. rt 1 Cor. iii. 8. c Ileb. xi. 20.