characters in tlie sight of God. If we would not deceive our- selvc's, we must inquire into the sense we have of our obligations to him, the delerminatiun we feel to approve ourselves faithful to liini in the wlicle extent of our duty, and the confidence with \vhich we are enabled to cast our care on him for body and for 'soul, for time and for eternity. Without this, whatever else we may possess, we are only " as sounding brass, and as tirlklirig cymbals :" and " if a man think himself to bs something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. We must therefore prove our owii selves, that so we nfiay have rejoicing in ourselves, and not another ^"]
2. How to secure a favourable testimony from your God—
[Man niAy easily he deceived: but God will assuredly judge according to truth. He " weigheth," not the actions only, but " the spirits "of men. And when he shall come at the last day, as he certainly will, in majesty and glory infinitely more terrible than that displayed at Sinai, he will testify of us before the assembled universe : and it will be a small matter that he has not to lay to our charge a neglect of outward services, if he have to accuse us of a want of those holy dispositions which we should have entertained and esereised towards him.
We intreat you then. Brethren, to look well to the state and haljit of your minds: see to it, that you '' delight yourselves m God ; that your whole life be a life of faith in him, of love to- wards him, and of zeal for the glory of his name : and, whilst you are presenting to him your own bodies and souls as a living sacrifice, present to him that great sacrifice which wus once offered on Mount Calvary for the sins of the whole world, and Avhich alone can avail for your final acceptance with him. Much as he despises the blood of bulls and goats, he will not desjiise the blood of his only dear Son ; but will, for the sake of it, pardou all your sins, and accept, yea and reward too with everlasting happiness and glory, all your imperfect services.]
' Ga!. vi. 3/4.