Christian depends upon his diligence; and that he attaches to it some meritorious efficacy. It is the confession of his inmost soul, that his own strength is perfect weakness; and that he is, at the very best, an unprofita ble servant. All his dependance is upon the sovereign grace of God in Christ Jesus, who divideth to every man severally as Hé will. His language is, "Without Christ I can do nothing; but I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me:" and in reliance on the free promise, that the people of God shall go on from strength to strength, until every one of them is perfected in Zion, he, through grace, follows on, if that he may apprehend that for which also he is apprehended of Christ Jesus. Let me, then, in pressing upon my Christian brethren, their great obligations to diligence in running the race that is set before them, in order to their being found of Christ in peace, without spot, and blameless, beg them to remember, that "the time is short:" and that it becomes them to "weep, as though they wept not; and to rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and to buy, as though they possessed not; and that they use this world, as not abusing it, for the fashion of this world passeth away." Therefore, my beloved brethren, be diligent: live upon Christ keep your eyes steadily fixed upon Him; your hopes firmly built upon Him; your reliance exclusively placed upon Him for all your salvation. Be diligent in reading, in meditation, and in prayer, that you may know what the will of the Lord is. Be diligent in keeping your own hearts, for out of them are the issues of life. Be diligent in self-denial, taking up your cross daily, after the example of Him, who bore the cross for you. Be diligent in renouncing the world, with all its attractions; and the flesh, with all its temptations. Be diligent in watching against, and resisting him who goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; and seek to be filled with the Spirit, who searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God. Do I urge you to this diligence in your own strength? God forbid! You have no strength, but in Him who is strength itself; and who, when He gives Himself, gives strength to His people. All your strength must come from above, in the power of the Holy Ghost, and shall be given to all who ask it. Then “cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward: for ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.' When He shall appear, may you be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless; and receive the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls, when time itself shall have passed away! 399 SERMON XXI. A NEW YEAR'S WISH. (Preached at the commencement of the year 1830.) 3 JOHN 2. "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper, and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." It is one very great and effectual source of consolation to the ministers of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ, in the midst of all the trials and discouragements through which they may have to pass, when they can look inward, and make the appeal to their own hearts, that the best interests, and the eternal salvation of those with whom they are officially connected, are subjects of their most affectionate anxiety, and of their highest concern. Happy, yea, most happy must be that servant of God, who, under whatever circumstances he may be placed, can lay his hand upon his heart, and say with the apostle of old: "Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience; that in simplicity, and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read and acknowledge, and I trust ye shall acknowledge, even to the end." It is, my dear brethren, we may venture to say, one of the first qualifications of our minis terial character, that we love your souls: that we feel an ardent desire that they should be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus; that they should be blessed in the sanctifying influence, and in the enjoyment of that religion which is "pure and undefiled ;" and that you should be distinguished by the faith, the charity, the holiness, the love, and the hopes of the gospel. If this affection and this desire really animate our hearts, it will be ours to keep from you nothing of that divine word, as far as we are acquainted with it, which is "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that you may |