2. With a becoming zeal to walk worthy of this
high calling —
[Certainly, this relation brings with it corresponding du- ties. If you are made sons of God, it is that you may serve and honour him as dear children. How this is to be done, St. Paul informs us: " Be blameless, and harmless, as sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, amongst whom ye shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life1." Well, indeed, may the world cry out against your vain conceit, if you are not walking worthy of your high calling. God has called you, that you should be holy : and " if you have in you the hope of which we have been speaking, then will you purify yourselves, even as Christ is pure"." Look to it, then, that you walk as becometh saints, in all holiness and righteousness before God and man. By this test will you be tried at the last day ; and all your pro- fessions of faith in Christ will be found a delusion, if you shew not your faith by your works. But, if God have, indeed, be- stowed this honour upon you, then will his love have a con- straining influence upon your souls; and you will strive to be " holy, as he is holy," and " perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."]
q John i. 12, 13. r Gal. hi. 20 s Rom. viii. 16.
1 Phil. ii. 15, 16. " ver. 3.