suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force;") watching, (“Let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober: Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.")

Hence the precepts importing the general tenor of Christian practice are usually couched in terms implying great sedulity and contention of soul; "Strive to enter in at the straight gate: Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest: Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that meat which endureth to everlasting life. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure. Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end. Wherefore, brethren, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent, that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."

Such is the work of our general calling, and so much industry it challengeth

from us; with great reason indeed, for that such work is needful to our happiness, and that our labour will certainly be rewarded therewith.

The work indeed of itself is most worthy to employ us, doth most become us, doth much adorn us, doth best befit our divine extraction and large capacity; is the noblest, the handsomest, the sweetest employment that could take us up; but we have also the greatest inducements and encouragements possible for our industry therein.

There are, by the divine bounty and mercy, wages assigned abundantly correspondent to our work, yea, infinitely surpassing it; there is "a great (or a manifold) hire" for our slender and simple performances; there are several noble prizes highly worth our striving for with our utmost strength and contention of soul.

In recompense thereof we shall assuredly gain even here in this transitory state the special favour and love of God,

with his constant protection and care of our good; his faithful direction and friendly assistance to guide us and uphold us in all our ways, to bless and prosper our undertakings, to supply us in our needs, and comfort us in our distresses; so that we shall "lack nothing" that is good, that no "evil shall happen to us," that "all things" shall concur and co-operate for our benefit.”

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We shall thereby taste the satisfactions of a calm mind, and a sound conscience, quickened by the consolations of the divine Spirit; "the peace of God ruling in our hearts, which passeth all understanding."

We shall afterward, when this moment is passed over, and our short day's work despatched, receive from God's bountiful hand an unconceivable affluence of good things, an eternal permanence of life; undisturbed rest, "indefectible wealth," ineffable joy, incorruptible glory," a kingdom unshakable."

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He," saith our Lord, "that reapeth, receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life everlasting."

"To them," saith St. Paul, "who, by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality, God in recompense will bestow eternal life." And,

"I have," saith that blessed labourer of himself, “fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness."

What more effectual spur or incentive can there be to industry in this business, than to consider that which St. Paul so often doth inculcate; " Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same (a recompense for the same) he shall receive of the Lord;" and

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knowing that (in consideration of our service done to the Lord) of the Lord we shall receive the reward of the inheritance"?

What exhortation can be more firmly grounded, or strongly backed, than is that of the Apostle, "Therefore, my brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord"?

May it not also much encourage us to industry, to be assured, that not only the kind of our work, but the degree of our labour shall be considered and requited, in just proportion; so that the harder we work, the higher we shall be rewarded; for "to each one," saith our Lord," the Son of man shall render a reward according to his performance." Every one," saith St. Paul, "shall receive his proper reward according to his proper work;" whence we have reason to observe St. John's advice, "Look to yourselves, that ye lose not those things which ye have gained, but that ye receive a full reward."

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To be negligent or slothful in such a