. Lectures to young people:. es have ap-peared to regard such a character, was mere affectation ;and that he actually regarded it with respect and veneration. 5. A decided course is the most happy course. It isso, because it is the only course that keeps a man on goodterms with his own conscience ; and without an approvingconscience, the universe could not make him in proportion as a professing christian is undecided,he loses the approbation of his conscience, and of course,in the same*degree, forfeits his enjoyment. Moreover, it is a source of rich enjoyment to the de-cided christi
. Lectures to young people:. es have ap-peared to regard such a character, was mere affectation ;and that he actually regarded it with respect and veneration. 5. A decided course is the most happy course. It isso, because it is the only course that keeps a man on goodterms with his own conscience ; and without an approvingconscience, the universe could not make him in proportion as a professing christian is undecided,he loses the approbation of his conscience, and of course,in the same*degree, forfeits his enjoyment. Moreover, it is a source of rich enjoyment to the de-cided christian, to see the benefits which result from hisdecision; the influence which he thereby exerts inbuilding up the cause of Christ. It is a delightful reflec-tion that, in all his efforts, God is glorified in some wayor other ; and that he may hope to be instrumental insaving souls from death and hiding a multitude of sins. By maintaining a decided character, the christian alsolays a foundation for a peaceful and happy death. He. 224 may expect indeed that large measures of peace and com-fort will be granted him from above, during his life : butespecially has he a right to expect that this will be rea-lized when flesh and heart are failing. Not that anything which he has done will be regarded by him, asconstituting the least part of the ground of his acceptance :still he will look back, and he will have a right to lookback upon his life, with gratitude to that God who hasenabled him to stand firm amidst all the temptations towhich he has been exposed, and with joy unspeakable,that his imperfect services may be crowned with the be-nedictions of his Lord. It w^as especially this trait ofcharacter upon which we have been meditating, whichput such rapture and triumph into the dying expressionsof the apostle :—u I have fought a good fight, I havefinished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth,there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, whichthe Lord, the righteous Judge, w
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