Page images
PDF
EPUB

Even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and labour, working with our hands'. But we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. For when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but as busy bodies. Now them that are such, we command and exhort, by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread". Let him that stole, steal no more; but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth'. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tatlers also, and busy bodies, speaking things which they ought not'.

SECT. 4. A zealous activity in the ways of religion, was required under the law.

And Moses, with the elders of Israel, commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I have commanded you this day". And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and do all his commandments; that the Lord thy God will set thee on high, above all the nations of the earth". Be thou strong, and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law; turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee, Be strong, and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee, whithersoever thou goest. Take diligent heed to do the commandment, and the law, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart, and with all your sould. Be ye strong, therefore, and let not your hands be weak; for your work shall be rewarded.

SECT. 5. The greatest diligence and watchfulness are to be exercised in our spiritual concerns.

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you". Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or wherewithal shall we be clothed? but seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Verily, I say unto you, The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by forced. Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. For wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Occupy till I come'. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven*.

[blocks in formation]

Let your loins be

e 2 Chron. xv. 7.

c Matt. vi. 33.

'Matt. vii. 13, 14.

i Luke, xix. 13.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

girded about, and your lights burning, and ye your-
selves like unto them that wait for their Lord'. Blessed
is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall
find so doing. Watch therefore, for ye know neither
the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh".
For as a snare shall it come upon all them that dwell on
the face of the whole earth. Watch
Watch ye therefore, and
pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape
all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand
before the Son of man°. He that shall endure unto the
end, the same shall be saved". Ye are they which have
continued with me in my temptations; and I appoint
unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto
But no man having put his hand to the plough,
and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God'.
SECT. 6. Various motives and incitements to this
diligence and watchfulness.

me.

Seeing therefore there remaineth a rest to the people of God, let us labour to enter into that rest. Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of our sleep. The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light". Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. Therefore, let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober d. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God'. We then beseech you, that ye receive not this grace in vain; for he hath said, I have heard thee in a

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors]

time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee; behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Wherefore, my beloved, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling". Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and knowledge, and-temperance, and patience, andgodliness, and brotherly kindness, and-charity'. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ*. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for so an entrance shall be ministred unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ'. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God". For God is not unrighteous, to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed towards his name. And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the end; that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises". Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promise °. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward P. And let us not be weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works'. Wherefore, gird up the loins of your mind; be sober, and hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the

* 2 Cor. vi. 1, 2.

k

2 Pet. i. 8.

" Heb. vi. 10, 11, 12. 4 Gal. vi. 9.

h Phil, ii. 12.

1 2 Pet. i. 10, 11.
• Heb. x. 35, 36.

Heb. x. 23, 24.

i 2 Pet. i, 5, 6, 7.
m 2 Cor. vii. 1.
P 2 John, 8.
$ 1 Pet. i. 13.

love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life'.

SECT. 7. The subject continued.

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation; it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you, that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints. It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing; with a zeal of God according to knowledge. Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved, and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord. Let your conversation be as becometh the gospel of Christ; stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel". Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour; whom resist, steadfast in the faith'. Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not

against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore, take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; and take the belmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God". Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong'. Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness; fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
« PreviousContinue »