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eternal life, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience'. Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully". And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I not as one that beateth the air; but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection*. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God". For which cause, we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal'.

I therefore beseech you, that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called'; holding the head, from which all the body by joints and bands, having nourishment ministred and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God'. That we may grow up unto him in all things, which is the head, even Christ". For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night; in which the earth, and the works that are therein, shall be burnt up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness? looking for, and hasting unto the coming of the day of God". Wherefore beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless". Be ye steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the

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work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Know ye not that they which run in a race, run all; but one receiveth the prize? so run that ye may obtain". Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us; looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of your faith, who went about doing good". Having then gifts, differing according to the grace that is given us; whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministring; he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. For God will render to every man according to his deeds; to them who by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality; eternal life. Glory, honour, and peace, to every one that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.

SECT. 8. In the labours of St. Paul, we have a proper example of sacred diligence.

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so, as ye have us for an ensample. Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do". Ye know after what manner I have been with you at all seasons; serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward man. For I am the least of the Apostles, that am not meet to be called an Apostle; because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am; and his grace which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain; but I laboured more abun

a 1 Cor. xv. 58.
d Acts, x. 38.
Rom. ii. 10.

§ 8. Phil. iii. 17.
d Acts, xxiv. 16.

b 1 Cor. ix. 24.
e Rom. xii. 6, 7, 8.

b Phil. iv. 9.

© Heb. xii. 1, 2. Rom. ii. 5, 6, 7.

· Acts, xx. 18, 19.

dantly than they all. For I will not dare to speak of these things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed; through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ'. Are they ministers of Christ? I am more; in labours more abundant, in journeying, often in perils; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness". For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail; for labouring night and day, we preached unto you the gospel of God'; warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily *. For we are labourers together with God'. Wherefore we labour that we may be accepted of him". Not as though I had attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus"; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead'. And now the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying, That bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus'.

Thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience. Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and been assured of'. Watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof

e 1 Cor. xv. 9, 10.
h 2 Cor. xi. 26, 27.

1 1 Cor. iii. 9.

• Phil. iii. 11.

2 Tim. iii. 14.

Rom. xv. 18, 19. i 1 Thess. ii. 9.

ru 2 Cor. v. 9.

P Acts, xx. 22, 23, 24.

* 2 Cor. xi. 23.
* Col. i. 28, 29.
"Phil. iii. 12, 13, 14.
92 Tim. iii. 10.

of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing'.

SECT. 9. The blessedness of those that labour and

overcome.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus, write, I know thy works and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou hast borne, and for my name's sake hast laboured and hast not fainted". To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God; to eat of the hidden manna; to him will I give power over the nations d. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, and are ready to die; for I have not found thy works perfect before God. He that overcometh shall be clothed in white raiment. Him will I make a pillar in the temple of my God; to him will I grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father on his throne. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.

SECT. 10. The Apostle's joy in diligent and steadfast Christians, and his prayers for them.

I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; so that ye come behind in no gift, waiting for the

2 Tim. iv. 5, 6.

§ 9. Rev. ii. 7.

d Rev. ii. 17, 26.
Rev. iii. 12, 21.

2 Tim. iv. 7, 8.
b Rev. ii. 1, 2, 3.
• Rev. iii. 2.
h Rev. xiv. 13.

c Rev. ii. 7.

f Rev. iii. 5.

coming of our Lord Jesus. Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ ". For this cause we do not cease to pray for you, that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work; strengthened with all might according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness; that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all judgment. And the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ®.

ARTICLE II.

OF THE DUTIES WE OWE TO OURSELVES CONSIDERED AS MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

CHAP. I.

OF MODESTY AND HUMILITY IN OPPOSITION TO VANITY AND PRIDE.

SECT. 1. It is dangerous to form too high an opinion of ourselves. Or, 2. To become vain on account of our rank or possessions. Or, 3. To affect honour and respect from others.-4. Still more dangerous is that pride which judgeth and despiseth others.5. The most criminal and dreadful of all, is that pride which exalteth itself against God, and affects to be independent of him.-6. Such pride cannot escape unpunished.-7. For against such the wrath of God is denounced.-8. His judgments on his presumptuous enemies.-9. Dissuasives from pride, © Col. i. 9, 10, 11.

§ 10. 1 Cor. i. 4, 7. d Phil, i. 9.

b 1 Thess. i. 3.
• Heb. xiii. 20, 21.

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