we were not converted. It is true of all ranks, classes, and orders of mankind. All are born in sin and children of wrath, and all, without exception, need to be born again and made new creatures. A new heart must be given to us, and a new spirit put within us. Old things must pass away, and all things must become new. It is a good thing to be baptized into the Christian Church, and use Christian means of grace. But after all, " are we converted T'
Would we know whether we are really converted ? AVould we know the test by which we must try ourselves ? The surest mark of true conversion is humility. If we have really received the Holy Ghost, we shall show it by a meek and childlike spirit. Like children, we shall think humbly of our own strength and wisdom, and be very dependent on our Father in heaven. Like children, we shall not seek great things in this world ; and having food and raiment and a Father's love, we shall be con- tent. Truly this is a heart-searching test ! It exposes the unsoundness of many a so-called conversion. It is easy to be a convert from one party to another party, from one sect to another sect, from one set of opinions to another set of opinions. Such conversions save no one's soul. What we all want is a conversion from pride to humility — ^from high thoughts of ourselves to lowly thoughts of ourselves — from self-conceit to self-abase- ment— from the mind of the Pharisee to the mind of the Publican. — A conversion of this kind we must experience, if we hope to be saved. These are the conversions that are wrought by the Holy Q-host.
The next thing that we are taught in these verses, is
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the great sin of putting stumhlinghlocks in the way of helievers. The words of the Lord Jesus on this subject are peculiarly solemn. "Woe unto the world because of offences ! — Woe to that man by whom the offence Cometh."
We put offences or stumblingblocks in the way of men's souls, whenever we do anything to keep them back from Christ,— or to turn them out of the way of salvation,— or to disgust them with true religion. We may do it directly by persecuting, ridiculing, opposing, or dissuading them from decided service of Christ. We may do it indirectly by living a life inconsistent with our religious profession, and by making Christianity loath- some and distasteful by our own conduct. Whenever we do anything of the kind, it is clear, from our Lord's words, that we commit a great sin.
There is something very fearful in the doctrine here laid down. It ought to stir up within us great searchings of heart. It is not enough that we wish to do good in this world. Ai'e we quite sure that we are not doing harm ? — We may not openly persecute Christ's servants. But are there none that we are injuring by our ways and our ex- am j)le ? It is awful to think of the amount of harm that can be done by one inconsistent professor of religion. He gives a handle to the infidel. He supplies the worldly man with an excuse for remaining undecided. He checks the inquirer after salvation. He discourages the saints. He is, in short, a living sermon on behalf of the devil. The last day alone wdll reveal the wholesale min of souls, that " offences" have occasioned in the Church of Christ. One of Nathan's charges against David was,