gathereth not, scattereth abroad”? Oh, my brethren, let us be honest; we know, we dare not deny it, that a work, rather that many works are imposed upon us by GOD, and that it will not do for us merely to think of them, to sigh over them, to approach them carelessly, reluctantly, to call preferred employments by their name; but that with clear understanding with heart-devotion, with constant application and real labour, we must do the works of Him that sent us. And, now, what are the works? The first, and most vitally important, is, to “work out our own salvation;” not to attempt of ourselves to undo what Adam did; not by any course of zealous doing to seek to recommend ourselves to GOD as deserving a reward, to propose to purchase heaven, to go to GOD the Father directly for it, and expect to get it from Him, either as a right or as a gift of compassion: but, knowing that it is only to be had of CHRIST, to seek it from CHRIST in appointed ways, in the measure, on the conditions which He has prescribed for all, and to fulfil the conditions. We are not naturally born in grace; we do not naturally inherit glory. CHRIST, by right, the Saviour of all men, is, in fact, “specially” only the Saviour of them that believe; of them who actually apply to Him and depend on Him, and remain in communion with Him for grace; who serve Him by fulfilling His commands and copying His example, who use His grace and grow in it, and by its power transform themselves into the character which alone can dwell in heaven. Now, all this is work—real, anxious, laborious work; this obeying of CHRIST, this imitation of His example, and following in His steps, this putting off of the old man and putting on of the new man. Are you intent upon it? Do you perform it? Consider the means of grace, prayer, praise, divine instruction, holy communion; do you faithfully and diligently use them? Read the Decalogue with the commentary of the Sermon on the Mount. Can you honestly say, All this I keep and do? Study the life of CHRIST—is your life like it: like it in humility, in self-denial, in labour, in fact, in hope, in aim? Examine yourselves. Are you cleansed from evil propensities—are you adorned with Christian graces—are you fit in person, in will, in desire, for a heaven full of holiness, whose employment will be the doing of GOD’S work, as angels do it, whose relaxation, if I may so speak, will be the contemplation and the praise of GOD? What do you leave undone, what do you transgress of GOD’S will? What covetousness do you root out, what evil tempers do you subdue, what rash zeal do you curb, what indolence do you overcome? Are you worldly, sensual, ill-natured, proud, self-seeking? Have you any trace of these stains upon you? Are you wanting in obedience, in patience, in holiness, in love of GOD? You cannot enter heaven, it would close its gates against you, you would flee from it as a place of torment, while you are in such a state. Now, what