Wesley Corpus

constant and repeated acts. He, therefore, tbat would be religious, must be always exer cised in religion : and he that would attain to Christian charity must never relax in his labours of love. If we continually labour in the task our Great Master has assigned us, we shall increase in the ability to perform it ; but if we abate our zeal, our talent will be hidden till it be taken from us. Besides, in order to acquire a habit, it is not only necessary that there be repeated acts, but we must endeavour that every act be proportionably better than the last. He( that contenteth himself with barely plodding at the rudiments of learning will never make a scholar ; and he that aspires no higher than the; first steps in the scale of perfection will never, ,be a Christian. It is St. Paul's ad vice, to the Hebrews, that they should leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ, and go on unto perfection, not resting satis fied with laying the foundations of Chris tianity, but endeavouring to raise a propor tionable superstructure thereupon ; and were this advice duly observed, men would not con tinue all their lives such babes in Christianity, nor ; would a hoary head and ignorant mind be so frequently conjoined, . as God knows they are. : we should behold youth more sober and old age more venerable, and each the wiser and holier the longer they lived upon this earth. i ,.•• Thus have I shown, by these unanswerable arguments, First, that Christians are never so certain of their reward as to remit their care ; Secondly, that it is never to be attained but by perseverance, and by not resting satisfied with any degree of piety short of the highest aim ; and, Thirdly, that Christians of all ranks and conditions are indispensably obliged to make a constant progress and proficiency in the knowledge and practice of true Christianity. These doctrines are so plain and evident that they need no application, and so essential that they will recommend themselves to your serious consideration. Instead therefore of an exhort ation, I choose rather to require you to join in prayer to God that he would graciously