Especially when we consider the consequences of our failure, in this great enterprise and work. He that lost the earthly race, lost little; perhaps it was somewhat of an honour for him to have contended at all: but he, who loses the christian race, loses every thing; loses his own soul, his precious immortal soul; defeat will be ruin, eternal misery and perdition. He that lost the earthly prize on one occasion, might run for another on a future day: but when once the spiritual race is run, when we have arrived at the mark, at the goal, at the gate of death, no further trial will then be vouchsafed; there will never be another opportunity. Anxiously perhaps we may desire it; and resolve, as we find ourselves approaching to the border of eternity, that if we could be permitted to continue our race for a little season, we would “use all diligence” for a successful termination; to gain the great prize we appear to be losing: but the desire will be vain. We knew the nature of the prize before; we knew what was necessary in order to gain it; we declined and refused; we chose the broad and easy way of idleness and sin: the night will be come, and there will be no more working.
O that before, that long before this time shall come, all our hearts may be thoroughly fixed upon the high calling of our God; upon that blessed revelation of the gospel, which calls us to life and immortality. O that the heart of every hearer may be fixed this day, so as never to be diverted from the holy and heavenly purpose; so as to be filled with a zeal and ardour, that shall never be extinguished; with invincible courage, and irremovable confidence; so that we may never “be weary of well-doing,” but persevere unto the end.
The Saviour, on His lofty throne, calls us by His word, which announces the glorious prize and the conditions of the race; by His spirit, “which is striving with us;” by His heralds and messengers, warning, animating, exhorting, persuading; He promises strength for the contest and victory in the end, to all who will engage in the great cause, with earnestness and sincerity. Awake, arise, we have nothing to fear: “the Lord is with us; who shall be against us?” who shall let or hinder? Listen, listen to the invitation and the promise! Take them for your government and your comfort; “so run as to obtain;” so, that on arriving at the end of the christian course, you may be calmly delighted to behold, with the eye of faith the crown of victory and of glory, ready to be placed upon your head. Often indeed are we permitted to behold the evident superiority of grace, at the latter hour; the peculiar accordance of divine mercy and strength, triumphing over the weakness of expiring nature: many pious Christians have then openly exhibited the most undoubted and convincing tokens of heavenly assurance and support; their Lord thus manifestly affording them an anticipation of their “crown of rejoicing,” and cheering them before their dissolution.
At this awful hour, there may be, and doubtless are, differences of spiritual experience in different individuals: but whatever, when we are ceasing to labour, be the foretaste of that rest, “which remaineth for the people of God;” whatever, when we are setting our foot upon the goal, be the outward and visible sign of approaching glory; sure we may be, if faithful unto death, that we shall soon enter upon that rest and that glory; but a small moment is remaining: the prize is ready at our departure: heaven will rejoice over us; the spirits of just men made perfect, (many whose names we have honoured, some whom we have seen and loved) will rejoice over us; and we shall rejoice with them for ever.
FINIS.
J. GARDNER, PRINTER, BOLTON.
FOOTNOTES.
[vii] These Sermons, though written for particular Sundays, are most of them generally applicable; indeed all of them, with very slight alterations or omissions.
[4] Isaiah, ix. 2. Matt. iv. 16.
[5] Eph. iv. 18.