[The Scriptures suggest innumerable marks whereby to discover our true character. St. John seems to have written his First Epistle almost for the very purpose of informing us on this head, that he might leave us altogether inexcusable if we erred respecting it : " Hereby we do know that we know God, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him : but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected. Hereby know we that we are in himb." (Some of the other passages referred to may also be cited.) And St. Paul particularly exhorts us to consult these marks and evidences, just as we would in the assaying of gold : " Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith : prove your own selves."]
2. For the satisfaction of others —
[What can others know of our state, any farther than it is discoverable in our lives? Our blessed Lord teaches us to bring all, even though they may call themselves prophets, to this test : " Ye shall know them by their fruits : do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles ? even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit ; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them0." And to this test must we ourselves be brought : " By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another d."]
3. For the honour of our God —
[Men will judge of our principles by our practice. Now the Gospel is represented as " a doctrine according to god- liness." But how shall men know it to be so ? Our mere assertions will carry no conviction with them, if they be not confirmed by manifest and substantial proofs. Men will natu- rally say to us, " Shew me your faith by your works :" and, if our works be unworthy of our profession, " the name of God and his doctrine will be blasphemede." It is by our works that we are to shine as lights in the world : and we are therefore bidden to let our light shine before men, that they, seeing our good works, may glorify our Father that is in heaven1"."]
From the text we learn,
II. What is that evidence which alone will prove satisfactory to God or our own souls —
b See 1 John ii. 3 — 5. and hi. G — 10. ib. 14, 15. ib. 18 — 21. and iv. 13. ib. 20. and v. 1 — 4. ib. 10. ib. 18.
c Matt. vii. 15—20. <* John xiii. 35.
e 1 Tim. vi. 1. t Matt. v. 16.