'will only supply a little exertion, all the rest will 'follow. For this reason he wishes you to do a little, that the victory might be your own.'1

An expression in one instance escaped from his Lordship's pen, which is rather exceptionable in this respect; 'No labour of research' is requisite to enable a person to judge of the doctrine of Christ. 2 Yet Jesus himself calls on the Jews to " search the scriptures," as to this very question : and the Bereans, who are highly commended, "re"ceived the word with all readiness of mind, and "searched the scriptures daily, whether those "things were so: therefore many of them be"lieved." 3 It is however merely a single insulated clause, and may admit of a candid construction : but the passage quoted from Chrysostom is of another description. ' A little exertion'ınay in some cases suffice for outward morality, or heathen virtue, but it will do nothing in following after Christian "holiness:" in "crucifying the flesh " with its affections and lusts;" in keeping under "the body, and bringing it into subjection;" in " plucking out the right eye, and cutting off the " right hand, which causes to offend;" in " deny" ourselves, taking up our cross daily, and follow"ing Christ;" in "overcoming the world," and " resisting the devil." Whether the will and the power be entirely from God, as Calvinists think; or in part from God, and in part from ourselves, according to the sentiments of our opponents;

vigorous and persevering exertions must be made or nothing effectual will be accomplished. The "yoke of Christ," indeed, is " easy:" "wisdom's ways are pleasantness, and all her paths are "peace:" 'the service of God is perfect freedom :' "the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace "and joy in the Holy Ghost." For the difficulty does not lie in the things themselves : "The com"mandments of God are not grievous:" but in our fallen nature; in our situation in this evil world; and in the power of " the god and prince " of this world." The usurper is indeed a most cruel tyrant, and renders his slaves very wretched: yet great power must be employed in and for them, and eventually great, and painful, and self-denying exertions made by them, ere they enjoy the freedom of God's service, and " take on them the easy "yoke of Christ." Even when this is done, the usurper has still access; and has a strong party in the kingdom from which he has been driven. He watches every opportunity of attempting to reenter, and recover his dominion; and of obstructing their salvation, holiness, and comfort: while the world, both by its smiles and its frowns, its maxims, fashions, and examples, is his firm and steady coadjutor. So that the blessings of liberty, and of an equitable and happy government, in this grand concern, (even as in secular affairs) cannot be obtained and enjoyed on earth, except by labours, and conflicts, and vigilance, and self-denial. No man ever yet was "delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the king"dom of the beloved Son of God," without great

exertion. "The kingdom of heaven suffereth "violence, and the violent take it by force." ! “ Strive (ἀγωνίζεσθε) to enter in at the strait gate, " for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in " and will not be able."2"The kingdom of God " is preached, and every man presseth into it"εἰς ἀυτην βιάζεται. 3 "Labour not for the meat that "perisheth; but for that meat which endureth " unto everlasting life." 4 "Work out your own

" salvation with fear and trembling." 5

Even in the further progress, the same earnestness and vigorous exertion are requisite. "Every " man that striveth is temperate in all things. "Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; " but we, an incorruptible. I therefore so run not " as uncertainly : so fight I not as one that beateth "the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it " into subjection, lest, after having preached to " others, I myself should be a rejected person." 6 "Forgetting those things which are behind, and " reaching forth unto those things which are be"fore, I press toward the mark, for the prize of "the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."7 "Wherefore, seeing we are compassed about with " so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside

every weight, and the sin which doth so easily " beset us; and let us run with patience the race "that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the " author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy " set before him endured the cross, and despised the

"shame." 1

"Forasmuch as Christ hath suffered

" for us in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same

،

" mind."2

These and many similar texts speak of far more than a little exertion.' Striving, wrestling, labouring, running without weariness, self-denial, perseverance in well-doing, are indispensible, in order 'boldly to confess the faith of Christ cruci'fied, and manfully to fight under his banner against sin, the world, and the devil; and to 'continue Christ's faithful soldier and servant 'unto our life's end.'3 Now because these things are indispensable, and because we 'have no strength 'in ourselves to do any thing as of ourselves;' we are the more earnest in maintaining, that " it is "God who worketh in us both to will and to do;" that they who regard our instructions may know both where to place their whole dependence, and to whom the whole glory of the victory, if obtained, must at last be given. - Because the 'frailty of man, without thee, cannot but fall, 'keep us by thy help from all things hurtful, ' and lead us to all things profitable to our salva'tion.'4

It is seriously to be apprehended, that they who speak at one time as if a limited, or comparatively small, communication of grace from God, would be sufficient; and at another, that a little exertion is all that is wanting; are not fully aware of the power of those enemies, which must either be conquered by us, or destroy us everlastingly.

If this be not duly appreciated, we shall go forth, like Samson when God had left him, and his own exertion failed him, only to be baffled and conquered, and taken captive at the will of our enemy. But, if we count our cost, and consider both what must be effected, and in what manner; and whence all our help must come; we shall " be

strong in the Lord, and in the power of his "might; able to stand in the evil day, and having " done all to stand," maintain our ground, gain the victory, possess the crown, and say, "Not unto " us, not unto us, but to thy name be the glory :" " Not I, but the grace of God that was with me."

Truly we are the cause of evils to ourselves, ' from not being willing to make a little exertion. For those who have been willing have all acted ' rightly; and they have acted rightly with great ' spirit and ease.' 1

The expression which has been considered, was no slip of Chrysostom's pen, but a favourite with him; and therefore it is used repeatedly. That man, however, whether Calvinist or Anticalvinist, who teaches that either a little grace or a little exertion is sufficient, in this point deceives the souls of those who listen to him. So long as men suppose, that whenever they wish, or choose a little ex'ertion' will effect all that is needful for salvation; they are tempted to defer an unpleasant work (as repentance must appear to them,) till " a more " convenient season." But, when deeply convinced that " it is God who worketh in us to will

1 Chrysostom, Ref. 497.