Wesley Corpus

stration to prove that we are thus to refer every action : for if we consider, on the one hand, the great danger which those incur who are negligent of their little actions, to what mani fold and great temptations they are exposed, even to commit heinous sins ; and on the other, those mighty benefits which accrue from bring ing our indifferent actions to the standard and test of God's holy will and commandment I say, whoever weighs these great truths as he ought will find the indispensable necessity of no longer living to himself, but unto God ; and of doing the most insignificant action of his life with such a spirit and temper, as that it might be done unto the Lord and not to man. This is the method to escape the punish ment due to those who live for themselves, and not to God : hereby we shall assure our hearts before him, when he is constantly in our thoughts, and is set always before us. How eminent a share of glory shall they receive, who are thus perpetually concerned in promot ing the glory of God ? How abundantly shall they be recompensed for those pleasures from which they have voluntarily abstained for Christ's sake ! Much doubtless shall be given, as well as forgiven, to those who have loved so much as to make the great object of their love the end of every thing they do. We have our blessed Saviour's promise that, in consequence of their being faithful in that which is least, they shall be esteemed faithful in much, and for their tender fear of trans gressing their Divine master's little commands, they shall be pronounced great in the kingdom of heaven. Blessed therefore are all they who hear these sayings and keep them ! They shall escape the guilt and punishment of heinous transgressions, and receive a glorious recompence for their labour, an incalculable reward for their care and industry ; such a recompence as fadeth not away, eternal in the heavens ; such a reward great as their Master's love, and ex tensive as the grace which enabled them to do Him " true and laudable service ! "