In conclusion, let me give you two short and simple. directions for your conduct in life, that so you may attain to the greatness of heaven. 1.-Study the life of Christ! Do think now, I pray you, about your Saviour. Read the Gospels. Mark, learn, and inwardly digest the sacred lessons of wisdom which they contain. Journey soberly and diligently, slowly and patiently, the road from Bethlehem to Bethany, and journey with this intent, to become meek, and lowly, and gentle, and kind, and forgiving, as your Lord and Master. 2.-Study your own life! Criticise your own character. Put your finger on the black spots, and say, These, by the grace of God, I must mend. This pride, how can I tolerate it, and be a disciple of Christ? This coldness and deadness of heart, how can it continue if I would be great in heaven? This indifference about salvation, what a dreadful blot, let me give all diligence to remove it. If you know yourself well, and know your Saviour well, you will soon know heaven well. Heaven now in the regions of your newly sanctified heart; Heaven for ever in the presence of your God, and Saviour Jesus Christ. SELF. 1 PETER iii. 4. "The hidden man of the heart." THE Apostle is giving advice to wives, how to comport themselves towards unbelieving husbands, so as to win them to Christ. Their main study should be, so to adjust the ornaments of character, as to attract really, not seemingly, or for a while. There is something deeper than forms; something more excellent than outside shew; and all men are capable of seeing and admiring this; "put it before them," St. Peter seems to say to wives, who have the ill luck to be joined to unbelieving men, in a partnership for life. The adorning of the body, in plaiting of hair, in wearing of gold, or putting on of apparel, he seems to say, will not serve the turn intended; they are flimsy attempts, weak efforts, at pleasing; they will change with fashion, or lose their virtue on inspection. Retire into the inner recesses of character. Adorn the mind |