July 26

“Giving all diligence, add to your faith vii tue, and to virtue knowledge” &c. — 2 Peter i. 5, G.

CRF thou wouldst enjoy the eminent grace of the fu) assurance of faith, under the blessed Spirit’s influence a. id assistance, do v’hat the Scrijture tells thee — “Give diligence.” Take care that thy faith is of the right kind — that it is not a mere belief of doctrine, but a simple faith, depending on Christ, and on Christ alone. Give diligent heed to thy courage. Plead with God that He would give thee the face of a lion, that thou mayst, with a consciousness of right, go on boldly. Study well the Scriptures, and get knotvledge; for a knowledge of doctrine will tend very much to confis-m faith. Try to understand God’s Word; let it dwell in thy heart richly.

When thou hast done this, “add to thy knowledge temperance.” Take heed to thy body; be temperate without. Take heed to thy soul; be temperate within. Get temperance of lip, life, heart, and thought. Add to this, by God’s Holy Spirit, patience; ask Him to give thee that patience which endureth affliction; which, when it is tried, shall come forth as gold. Array yourself with patience, that you maj not murmur nor be depressed in your afflictions. When thai grace is won, look to godliness. Godliness is something more than religion. Make God’s glory your object in life; live in His sight; dwell close to Him; seek for fellowship with Him; and thou hast “godliness;” and to that add brotherly lova. Have a love to all the saints; and add to that & charity, which openeth its arms to all men, and loves their Houls. When you are adorned with these jewels, and just in proportion as you practise these heavenly virtues, will you to know by clearest evidence “your calling and elec-Uou.” “Give diligence,” if you would get assurance, for lukewarmness and doubting very nuturally go hand in hand