Strive to enter in at the straight gate, Luke 13:24. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12. Forgetting those things that are behind, I reach forth unto those things which are before, Philippians 3:13.
He that feeds only upon Christ, and yet, with fear and trembling, works out his salvation, is in the right way; the former preventing discouragement, and the latter presumption. Grant, O Lord, that I may still continue to fight the good fight of faith, and never look back on the flesh-pots of Egypt; and rather "choose to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." May nothing but the painful death which thou suffered for me, have always a place in my heart, that thereby all unbelief and slavish fears may be destroyed on one hand, and all security on the other, so as to work at all times and in all places with holy and filial reverence as in thy presence. Amen.
So new-born babes desire the breast
To feed, and grow, and thrive,
So saints with joy the gospel taste
And by the gospel live.
Grace, like an uncorrupted seed.
Abides and reigns within,
Immortal principles forbid
The sons of God to sin.
Not by the terrors of a slave
Doth they perform his will,
But with the noblest powers they have
His sweet commands fulfil.