you were once accustomed to join, whose sins you could formerly look upon with indifference, and could pass over without reproof. But, that you cannot do now, because you have a different spirit from them. You think religion is of more importance, and so you tell them; but they are displeased with you; and because your practice, if right, condemns theirs, their endeavour is to prove that you are wrong. Hence, from this cause, as well as others, which I have mentioned, will your character suffer; and you will have no friend, perhaps, but God, to whom you can appeal, and plead the integrity of your heart. Are you a servant? As such you will be in danger of suffering in a two-fold respect; for if those, under whose authority you are placed, are religious characters, it will be said, that you put on the mask of godliness merely to please them. If they are worldly minded, then, if you are not so diligent as they expect you to be, though that expectation may not be founded in reason, and if, through mistake or inadvertence, you do any thing, which they disapprove of, they will say as Pharaoh did to the Israelites, "Ye are idle, ye are idle,"* "*"Ye read and pray, but ye cannot work." And this will be said, however faithful, laborious, and diligent you Exod. v. 17. may be in that state of life, to which it has pleased God to call you. Upon the whole then, a moderate degree of experience will prove to the sincere Christian, that, however he may desire it, it is impossible to please all parties; and if he be faithful, in a little time he will gain the victory over that fear of man, which is apt to operate too strongly upon the minds of young professors of godliness. He will learn, that the friendship of the world is of small value, but that the favour of God is highly precious; and being satisfied that God knoweth all his ways, is acquainted with all his desires, and ready to hear all his prayers, he goes to him in his sorrow and distress, and finds, in pouring out his heart to him, a sweet peace, which passeth all understanding; yea, ; yea, and as he grows in grace, and advances in years, he finds it an increasing peace. "What," says he, as he draws near the gates of death, "can that world, of which I was once too fond, do for me now? What advantage, were I its greatest favourite, could it afford me? But I neither am, nor ever have been, its favourite; and it is well. I would not be attached to that, which I must shortly leave. How happy then am I, that God, by his grace, has taught me to look for something better, and more enduring; and, I trust, that as he has supported and blessed me under many trials, he will not at last forsake me, but perfect his own work, and receive me, through the merits of my Redeemer, to his everlasting kingdom." That we may all obtain victory over the world, and be enabled at the hour of our departure to rejoice in the testimony of our consciences, may God, of his infinite mercy, grant, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |