{.1ilry. C$RISTIAN 1$DRALITY, V1Z. [SEAM. XX: and to retract his former errors and mistakes And in- deed this is one glorious evidence of his being a constant friend to truth. But being well established in the neces- sary and fundamental points of faith and practice, he walks on regularly in his christian course without waver- ing, or wandering into forbidden paths, ever pursuing his last great end : And this is a constant christian, though his sentiments, in the latter part of his life, may differ in several points from the thoughts of hisyouth. When the eye of the world smiles upon his profession, and the sun shines bright upon his party, or when the clouds arise, and the sharp winds of persecution blow, he is still the same steady christian, composed, quiet, undisturbed : not doubtful what he should do, but aim- ing at heaven, he marches on homewards, with the regu- lar discharge of all his duties to his God on high : or does he forget his obligations to his fellow- creatures on earth, though in twenty instances they may forget or re- fuse to fulfil their duty to him. His supreme obliga- tions are to God his Maker, and to these he must be true and faithful. How various were the trials that St. Paul met with from the Jews, and from the Greeks, from the Jewish christians, and the heathen converts! But how bright and blessed an uniformity ran like a golden thread through his whole life and ministry! Hear the holy man often in his writings declaring his own steadfast adherence to the gospel : Hear him appealing to his Ephesian dis- ciples concerning his own conduct, and proving it to their consciences, that he had in some good measure acquitted himself according to this rule of christianity; Acts. xx. 18. When the elders of Ephesus were come to him, Ye know, says he, thatfrom the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have beenwith you at all sea- sons, and that was by the space of three years, as in ver. 31. serving theLord with all humility of mind, with ma- ny tears and temptations that befel me : And I was con- stantly testifying to the Jews and Greeks, faith and re- pentance, andshunned not to declare the whole counsel of God to you, coveting no man's gold or apparel, &c. I have shewn you now, that for these three years together I have maintained the same holy conduct, that so you
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