Contemplate the feelings of the godly at the moment that this glory bursts upon them. In vain shall we look for any thing wherewith to compare it upon earth. Alas! the visions of the godly are not so bright; nor do their sublimest raptures make so deep an impression as do the terrors which are inspired by sudden and appalling danger. But, as contrasted with the feelings of the ungodly, we may conceive in some little measure their bliss. Let us picture to ourselves the Rich Man and Lazarus, entering at the same moment into the eternal world, the one beholding the abyss of hell ready to swallow him up, and the other fixing his eyes upon his God and Saviour, whose glory and felicity he is about to share. But]

We shall contemplate these things to more advantage, if we view them in connexion with,

II. The effect which the prospect of those events should produce upon us—

This the Apostle sets forth,

1. In a way of candid appeal

[We all look for these events; nor do any of us doubt but that they will come in due season. Let me then ask of all who are here present, "What manner of persons ought ye to be?" Should you not be waiting for that period "in all holy conversation and godliness?" Should you not be "looking for it, and hasting unto it" with a holy eagerness, to meet "your God at his coming?" As for the things of this life, they should be as nothing in our eyes. Being so soon to part with them all, we should sit loose to them; as the Apostle says; "They who have wives should be as though they had none; and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world, as not abusing it for the fashion of this world passeth away." I well know, that, when such a state of mind is recommended by us, we appear to require more than is necessary. But I will venture to appeal to every considerate man, whether this be not the conversation that becomes us, when our God is coming to judgment; and when he has told us that "he will come as a thief in the night?" Would it not be madness to be dreaming of "peace and safety, till sudden and everlasting destruction come upon use?" The wise virgins were not wise in this respect, that, like the foolish virgins, they slumbered and slept. Happily for them, they had oil in their vessels with their lamps; or else, with the foolish virgins, they also would have been excluded from the nuptial feast. The true frame for all

d 1 Cor. vii. 29-31.

e 1 Thess. v. 2, 3.

of us to be in, is that of ardent and affectionate expectation; "our loins being girt, and our lamps trimmed," and our whole souls as "those who wait for the coming of their Lord." Maintaining this frame, you may rest assured, that "the Lord Jesus Christ will confirm you to the end," and present you faultless before the presence of his Father's glory with exceeding joy."]

2. In a way of affectionate entreaty

En

["Beloved" brethren, " seeing that ye look for such things, I beseech you be diligent that ye may be found of God in peace, without spot and blameless." Think, if that day should come upon you unprepared; and, instead of going forth to meet a loving Saviour, you should behold only an angry and avenging Judge; how terrible will this be! Lose not an hour then; but be diligent in seeking peace with God through the Son of his love. It is the blood of Christ, and that only, which can effect your reconciliation with God: and therefore lose not a moment in sprinkling it upon your souls; yea, let your holiest actions, as well as your more acknowledged sins, be purged with it from their defilement. deavour, too, to preserve a spotless and blameless" conduct throughout your whole lives, being "sincere and without offence until the day of Christ." Let no allowed sin be found in you: but so "cleanse yourselves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit, that you may perfect holiness in the fear of God," and be acknowledged by him as "Israelites indeed, in whom there was no guile." This will doubtless require "diligence:" but surely the occasion justly deserves all the care and labour you can bestow upon it. Can you doubt whether those, whose lives have been lately in such imminent peril, have taken precautions against any future surprise? Would they not be justly blamed, if they were to be as heedless of danger, as they were before they knew of the conspiracy that was formed against them? Be ye then on your guard. They, whatever attempts were made against them, might escape: but no possibility of escape remains for you. "Your God will come, even as a thief in the night;" and therefore I entreat you all to be diligent, that, "whether he come in the evening, or at midnight, or at cock-crowing, or in the morning"," you may be found of him in peace, without

66

spot and blameless"

I only add, "Account the long-suffering of God to be

h Mark xiii. 32-37. The particular instructions in this passage, "Take ye heed, watch, and pray," may here be dwelt upon to advantage.

salvation." You have long been spared; and God is still forbearing to call you to your great account. "Beloved brethren," "despise not this goodness, and forbearance, and long-suffering of your God; but let them lead you to repentance." Though the general judgment should be long deferred, your own particular doom will be fixed the very instant that you shall be summoned into the eternal world. Do not then delay till it be too late; but "to-day, while it is called to-day, harden not your hearts," lest God cut you off in your sins, and "swear in his wrath that you shall never enter into his rest."]

2 Pet. iii. 17, 18. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

HOWEVER averse men are to receive warnings and exhortations from each other, there is, in reality, no greater proof of affection, than the administering of faithful cautions, and salutary advice, to those whom we love. It is evident how much St. Peter's mind was warmed with affection towards his brethren, since he, no less than four times in this short chapter, addresses them by that endearing term, "Beloved." And how did he testify his love, but by guarding them against the dangers to which they were exposed, and by prescribing to them the most effectual means of deliverance and safety?

Let his word then be thankfully received by us, while we consider,

I. His caution against apostasy—

[The wicked will take occasion from God's forbearance to question his remunerative justice a and even the godly need to be on their guard against the influence of this delusion Certain it is, that they are liable to fall from their

a ver. 3, 4. with Eccl. viii. 11.

VOL. XX.

Eph. iv. 14. 2 Pet. ii. 18.

A A

own steadfastness; and that, without the greatest vigilance, they will do so. But they "know" the certainty and awfulness of the day of judgment, and should therefore be afraid of meeting it unprepared. It will then be too late to rectify their" errors," or repent of their instability; and this consideration should make them doubly cautious against every occasion of falling.]

II. His direction for preventing it

The Christian should seek to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ"

[None, who have received grace, will be satisfied with the measure they have received; but they will be seeking to attain more and more. Nor will any, who know Christ, think they "know any thing yet as they ought to know:" they will perceive that there are in him "treasures of knowledge," which they have never explored, and which to all eternity will be progressively opening to their view.

Hence the Christian's duty is to be continually advancing in every part of the divine life; and to "make his profiting appear unto all men."]

This will be his best, his only, preservative against apostasy-

[Painting or statuary admit of intermissions in labour: such work, left for a season, may be resumed without any increased difficulty: but, in religion, every intermission is a positive injury: if the work proceed not, it declines: it always either waxes or wanes. Now every declension weakens the vital principle within us-restores to activity our dormant corruptions-exposes us to the assaults of our great adversary and provokes God to withdraw his accustomed aidh: consequently, our downfall begun, will, if not prevented by sovereign grace, be speedy, gradual, irretrievable. On the other hand, a progress in grace confirms every good habitfastens round us the whole armour of God-keeps our enemy at a distance-and secures to us the continued protection of

1 Tim. i. 19. 2 Tim. ii. 18. Matt. xxiv. 12. 1 Cor. ix. 27. Whether God will restore his elect, is a distinct question, that, if introduced in this place, might uphold a system, but would weaken the force of the Apostle's caution.

d Matt. xxv. 11-13.

• This argument is thrice urged; ver. 11, 14, 17.

f Phil. iii. 12-14.

8 Col. ii. 3. St. Paul, after preaching Christ for above twenty years, yet sought above all things to "know him." Phil. iii. 8, 10. h Mark these particulars very distinctly, pausing at the end of each. And do the same in that which follows.

heaven. Go on adding to your grace, says God," and you shall never falli."]

ADVICE

1. Reflect much and often on the day of judg

ment

[Through a forgetfulness of that day we become the sport of every temptation: but if we would frequently endeavour to realize the strictness of the scrutiny, and the severity of the judgment which will then take place, we should be more fortified against error in principle, or evil in practice. We must expect our Lord's coming, if we would be found ready on his arrival.]

2. Be diligent in the use of all the means of grace

[It is in vain to hope that we shall grow in grace or knowledge, if we do not use the means which God has appointed. But, if we watch unto prayer, and conscientiously devote ourselves to him, he will bless us with all spiritual blessings:" "our faith and love shall grow exceedingly;" our "hope shall abound through the power of the Holy Ghost," and, from being "babes," we shall become "children, young men, and fathers in Christ':" and, having attained at last " the measure of the full stature of Christ," we shall "enter into his joy," and be partakers of his glory for evermore.]

i 2 Pet. i. 5, 10, 11.

1 1 Cor. iii. 1. and 1 John ii. 12-14.

* Matt. xxiv. 42-41.

m

Eph. iv. 13.