knowledge, i.e. directed towards proper objects. Its true character is easily ascertained by noticing its effects, whether it produces self-right- eousness or humility, censoriousness or charity ; whether it leads to self- denial or to self-gratulation and praise ; and whether it manifests itself in prayer and effort, or in loud talking and boasting, v. 2.
3. We should be very careful what doctrines we hold and teach on the subject of justification. He who is wrong here ruins his own soul ; and if he teaches any other than the scriptural method of justification, he ruins the souls of others, v. 3.
4. A sinner is never safe, do what else he may, until he has submitted to God's method of justification.
5. As every thing in the Bible leads us to Christ, we should suspect every doctrine, system, or theory which has a contrary tendency. That view of religion cannot be correct which does not make Christ the most prominent object, v. 4.
6. How obvious and infatuated is the folly of the multitude in every age, country, and church, who, in one form or another, are endeavouring to work out a righteousness of their own, instead of submitting to the righteousness of God. They are endeavouring to climb up to heaven, or to descend into the abyss, vs. 5 — 7.
7. The conduct of unbelievers is perfectly inexcusable, who reject the simple, easy, and gracious offers of the gospel, which requires only faith and confession, vs. 8, 9.
8. Those who are ashamed or afraid to acknowledge Christ before men, cannot expect to be saved. The want of courage to confess is decisive evidence of the want of heart to believe, vs. 9, 10.